In Wellington, a State Ceremony of Welcome took place at Government House for the Governor-General and Mr Bryce.

The ceremony included a traditional Maori Ceremony, or Wero, involving a challenge, and a Call of Welcome, or Karanga.

Following a Dance of Welcome, Ms Bryce took the Royal Salute before inspecting the Royal Guard of Honour. Children from the nearby St Marks Church School were special guests at the Ceremony.

In the New Zealand capital, the Governor-General paid her respects at the National War Memorial, where she laid a wreath in the Hall of Memories and placed a floral tribute on the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior.

At Government House in Wellington, the Governor-General received the Prime Minister of New Zealand, the Rt Honourable John Key and the Leader of the Opposition, Mr David Shearer MP.

In Wellington, the Governor-General visited the New Zealand Dance School Te Whae, where the students performed modern and classical pieces.

Many of the students are Australian, and Ms Bryce encouraged them to work hard and take their new skills around the world.

During a busy day in Wellington at the invitation of the Governor-General of New Zealand, Sir Jerry Mateparae, Ms Bryce and Mr Bryce visited the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa.

After stopping by the Museum's formal meeting place, the Governor-General was guided through some of the most significant exhibits, including traditional Maori canoes, weapons and meeting houses.

A cannon retrieved from the Great Barrier Reef which belonged to Captain James Cook and gifted to New Zealand by Australia - with cannon ball intact - was a highlight of the tour.

On Monday 27 February 2012, in Auckland, the Governor-General Ms Quentin Bryce AC CVO and Mr Michael Bryce AM AE, as guests of the Australian High Commissioner to New Zealand, His Excellency Mr Paul O’Sullivan AO and Co-Chair of the Trans-Tasman Business Circle, Mr Lex Henry, attended a breakfast, at which the Governor-General gave an address.

On the first day of her State Visit to New Zealand at the invitation of the Governor-General of New Zealand, Sir Jerry Mateparae and Lady Janine Mateparae, the Governor-General spent the day in Auckland. Ms Bryce discussed Australia and New Zealand trade and business links with the Trans-Tasman Business Circle.

The Governor-General and Mr Bryce travelled to outer Auckland to the Finlayson Park School to learn about a project which parents undertake to help their children prepare for school.

On Sunday 26 February 2012, the Governor-General Ms Quentin Bryce AC CVO and Mr Michael Bryce AM AE departed Australia on a State Visit to New Zealand.

Earlier, in Sydney, the Proclamation assuming the Administration of the Government of the Commonwealth of Australia was signed by the Governor of New South Wales, Her Excellency Professor Marie Bashir AC CVO.

On Saturday 25 February 2012, the Governor-General Ms Quentin Bryce AC CVO and Mr Michael Bryce AM AE, as guests of the President of the Killarney Show and Rodeo Society, Mr David Thomson, and Patron of the Killarney Show and Rodeo Society, Mr Cec Jamieson, attended the Killarney Centenary Agriculture Show, at which the Governor-General delivered the opening address.

The Governor-General and Mr Michael Bryce marked the centenary of the Killarney Agriculture Show at the town's showground in Queensland.

Ms Bryce and Mr Bryce joined local residents and visitors to view the Show Parade and local exhibits within the show pavilion. The Governor-General also met former Killarney resident, Mr Terry Cahill, who was awarded a medal by the Queen Mother in 1958 for a winning rodeo performance in Brisbane.