Governor-General Designate

8 Mar 2011

Lieutenant General Jerry Mateparae is to be New Zealand’s 20th Governor-General and will succeed the Rt Hon Sir Anand Satyanand when his term concludes on 23 August. Lt General Mateparae will take office as Governor-General at a ceremony on Wednesday 31 August 2011.

A statement issued today by Buckingham Palace said:

"The Queen, on the recommendation of the Prime Minister of New Zealand, has been pleased to approve the appointment of Lieutenant General Jeremiah Mateparae as the next Governor-General of New Zealand. General Mateparae will serve in succession to the Rt Hon Sir Anand Satyanand, who will complete his term of office on 23 August 2011."

Jerry Mateparae's appointment was welcomed by Sir Anand Satyanand, who said, in a statement:

"Jerry Mateparae, with whom I have had considerable contact, is an excellent choice. His record of leadership with the New Zealand Defence Force at a time of considerable change is distinguished and he will bring many fine qualities to the role of Governor-General".

His appointment was announced by Prime Minister, Rt Hon John Key, who welcomed Jerry Mateparae to his new role. In a statement, he said:

“Lieutenant General Jerry Mateparae is a highly regarded leader with a distinguished 38-year military career. He joined the New Zealand Army in 1972, and rose through the ranks, serving and commanding in a wide variety of roles. This culminated in his appointment as Chief of Defence Force in 2006. He is currently the director of the Government Communications Security Bureau.

“Jerry will be New Zealand’s 20th Governor-General. I believe he will bring great mana and a wide range of qualities to this role, including judgement, energy and an enthusiasm for encouraging excellence in others. As Governor-General, he will have the opportunity to work with a wide range of New Zealanders and develop an active programme in the community. Jerry has served New Zealand with dedication and honour throughout his career, and I am delighted that he has agreed to continue that service in a new, broader role,” says Mr Key.

“Sir Anand Satyanand’s term concludes on 23 August 2011. I would like to thank Sir Anand for his dedication and service in his role as Governor-General.”

Biography

Jerry Mateparae, the third son of Rangiwhaiuru Mateparae and Rangitunoa Mateparae (nee Tahau), was born in Wanganui on the 14th of November 1954. He completed his primary and secondary school education in Wanganui at Castlecliff Primary School, Rutherford Intermediate School and Wanganui High School.

Of Māori descent, his tribal affiliations are to Ngāti Tūwharetoa and Ngāti Kahungunu. He also has links to Tūhoe and tribes in the upper Whanganui.

He is currently Director of the Government Communications Security Bureau (GCSB), which he took up on 7 February 2011. Prior to joining GCSB he had a 38 year career with the New Zealand Defence Force, which culminated in his appointment as Chief of Defence Force in the rank of Lieutenant General from 1 May 2006 until 24 January 2011. He was the first officer of Māori descent to hold the rank and appointment.

He enlisted into the Regular Force of the New Zealand Army in June 1972. After three years service as a soldier, he graduated in 1976 from the Officer Cadet School at Portsea into the Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment. He served in both battalions of the Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment and with the New Zealand Special Air Service. He commanded a regionally-based combined force Truce Monitoring Group on the island of Bougainville during OPERATION BELISI in 1998.

He also completed a 12-month tour of duty with the United Nations Truce Supervisory Organisation as the Chief Observer in southern Lebanon from May 1994 to May 1995. Subsequently, as the New Zealand Army’s Land Commander he was New Zealand’s Joint Commander for New Zealand forces in East Timor (December 1999 to July 2001). He was Chief of Army from 1 May 2002 until 30 April 2006.

General Mateparae is a graduate of the British Army Staff College at Camberley (1989), the Australian Joint Service Staff College at Canberra (1995) and the Royal College of Defence Studies in London (1999). He has a Master of Arts with First Class Honours from the University of Waikato, and was recognised by the University as one of its distinguished alumni in 2009. He is also a Fellow of the New Zealand Institute of Management.

In the 1999 New Year’s Honours List he was made an Additional Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for his service in Bougainville.

His military career has shaped his advocacy of “excellence” and interest in developing leaders, the welfare of veterans and the development of New Zealand’s youth. His community service includes the Rotary Club of Wellington, the Palmerston North Boys’ High School Board of Trustees and the Order of Saint Lazarus of Jerusalem. In the past, he has been a patron for various organisations and groups. Currently he is the patron of the New Zealand Special Air Service Association.

General Mateparae is married to Janine, and they have two daughters and three sons. His interests include keeping fit, diving, reading, sport, and health and wellbeing.

The Office of Governor-General in New Zealand

The Governor-General is the representative of the Sovereign in the Realm of New Zealand. The role of the Governor-General of New Zealand has two aspects – the formal duties of office, and the community role.

Formal duties

The formal duties of the Governor-General are:

•Discharging the constitutional role;

•Participating at important national days and commemorative events;

•Celebrating excellence, achievement, and service through investitures and award ceremonies.

•Representing New Zealand at home and abroad in the Head of State role;

•Performing the traditional ceremonial role of Commander-in-Chief.

The Governor-General undertakes these functions on the advice of the Prime Minister and Ministers.

The office of Governor-General is apolitical. By convention, the Governor-General avoids becoming involved in the party politics of government.

Community role

In the community role, the Governor-General gives personal expression to the office of Governor-General. Through a broad and inclusive community programme, the Governor-General is able to promote shared community values and aspirations, and to encourage national unity.

The Governor-General travels widely throughout New Zealand and meets many New Zealanders, sharing in their celebrations and commemorations, encouraging community and sector effort, on marae, visiting schools, giving speeches, and opening conferences.

The Governor-General can also develop personal themes and projects throughout the term of office.

Government House

Government House Wellington and Government House Auckland are the official residences of the Governor-General. The Governor-General hosts many events at both houses, including investiture ceremonies for New Zealand Honours recipients, receiving the credentials of foreign diplomats, and hosting visiting dignitaries. The houses also serve as venues for community and cultural events.

The office of Governor-General is constituted by Letters Patent. The Letters Patent authorise the Governor-General to exercise the powers and functions of the office, on behalf of the Queen. The usual term of appointment is five years.

The Letters Patent Constituting the Office of Governor-General of New Zealand 1983 can be found in the Cabinet Manual: http://www.cabinetmanual.cabinetoffice.govt.nz/appendix-a

Governors-General of New Zealand

Jerry Mateparae will be New Zealand’s 20th Governor-General.

From 1840 to 1917, the Sovereign was represented in New Zealand by colonial governors. The first Governor-General was appointed in 1917. Biographical information on former Governors-General can be found on the Governor-General’s website: http://www.gg.govt.nz/the-governor-general/historical/former.htm

Transition information

The term of the current Governor-General, Rt Hon Sir Anand Satyanand, will end on 23 August 2011. There will be a State farewell for Sir Anand, hosted by the Prime Minister, Rt Hon John Key, on Wednesday 17 August 2011.

Jerry Mateparae will take office as Governor-General at a ceremony on Wednesday 31 August 2011.

The details of the two ceremonies will be announced closer to the time.

Between 23 August and 31 August 2011, the Administrator of the Government will perform the functions of the Office of Governor-General.

ENDS

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