Flag at half mast for Dame Catherine Tizard

Christchurch City Council is flying the New Zealand flag at half mast today in honour of Dame Catherine Tizard, who has died after a long illness.

Dame Catherine, 90, was the first woman to be elected Mayor of Auckland and the first woman to be appointed Governor-General.

“As everyone has said, she was a trailblazer for New Zealand woman and someone who I knew well and very much admired,’’ says Christchurch Mayor Lianne Dalziel.

“Despite all she had achieved in her lifetime, Dame Catherine remained very down-to-earth. She was a genuine person who gave selflessly in the service of others.’’