Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announces Dame Cindy Kiro as next Governor-General

Brian from New Lynn

Dame Cindy, who is of Māori and Pākehā descent, has held leadership roles at several New Zealand universities and a number of roles in community and voluntary organisations. Born in Whangārei in 1958, Dame Cindy is the eldest of six children and is of Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Hine, Ngāti Kahu and British descent. She also has connections to Te Arawa in the Rotorua region. Dame Cindy recently took up the role of chief executive of the Royal Society Te Apārangi, which advances and promotes research in science, technology and the humanities, and raises public awareness and understanding of those fields. She was made a Dame this year for services to child wellbeing and education. "I am delighted Dame Cindy has accepted the role," Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said on Monday as she made the announcement in Wellington. "She has a highly distinguished and lengthy career in academic and leadership positions and has made significant contributions across a number of fields and organisations." Ardern said Queen Elizabeth's advice was that Dame Cindy was "wholly suitable" for the role. "Over many decades, Dame Cindy has demonstrated her passion for the wellbeing of children and young people, as well as education and learning. I know she will bring that same commitment to all New Zealanders as Governor-General," Ardern said.
"We are privileged to have someone of Dame Cindy's mana and standing for the role and I am very grateful that she agreed to become our next Governor-General." Dame Patsy, the third woman in New Zealand to hold the role of Governor-General, was appointed in 2016 for a five-year term starting from September that year, after Queen Elizabeth II gave her approval. The position of Governor-General is selected by Cabinet. The Queen is consulted by the Prime Minister, and if she is happy with the candidate, the Opposition leader - currently Judith Collins - is consulted, and the recruitment process concludes. Dame Cindy, standing alongside the Prime Minister at her post-Cabinet press conference, said she was genuinely surprised when she was asked to accept the role. Dame Patsy's term will end on September 28, and the State farewell will be held on September 6. The details of the two ceremonies will be announced closer to the time. Dame Cindy will become Governor-General in October.
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