2 August 2006

Dame Silvia Cartwright and Peter Cartwright honoured

Prime Minister Helen Clark today announced that the retiring Governor-General Dame Silvia Cartwright and her husband Mr Peter Cartwright are to each receive the Queen's Service Order in recognition of their service to New Zealand.

The Prime Minister made the announcement at the State Farewell Luncheon at Parliament, and thanked Dame Silvia and Mr Cartwright for their service to New Zealand.

"Dame Silvia and Peter have worked extraordinarily hard and brought integrity, energy, and stamina to the task. They also generously agreed to serve for an additional 4 months in office. On behalf of all New Zealanders, I thank Dame Silvia and Peter Cartwright for their service," Helen Clark said.

"I am delighted to announce that the Queen has been pleased to appoint Dame Silvia Cartwright and Mr Peter Cartwright to The Queen’s Service Order in recognition of their services during the past five years."

"Dame Silvia receives the insignia of a Companion of The Queen’s Service Order for Public Service (QSO), and Mr Peter Cartwright receives the insignia of a Companion of the Order for Community Services (QSO).

Since 1975 each Governor-General has been ex-officio Principal of The Queen’s Service Order. The practice is for a retiring Governor-General and their spouse to be appointed to the QSO on the Governor-General's retirement from office.

Dame Silvia has been Principal Companion of the Order and Governor-General and Commander-in-Chief in and over New Zealand since 4 April 2001, and retires from office on Friday.

The Governor-General-designate, Judge Anand Satyanand, will be sworn in at Parliament on 23 August. The Chief Justice, Dame Sian Elias, will act as Administrator of the Government in the interregnum.

ENDS

© Scoop Media