20 May 2011

Knighthood for Governor-General designate

4:12 pm on 20 May 2011

A formal step in the appointment of the next New Zealand Governor-General has taken place with the Queen approving the designate as a Knight.

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Lieutenant-General Sir Jerry Mateparae, currently the head of the Government Communications Security Bureau, is now an Additional Knight Grand Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit.

He is also an Additional Companion of the Queen's Service Order.

Prime Minister John Key says the appointments recognise Sir Jerry's leadership, mana and and dedicated service to his country.

Sir Jerry, the former head of the Defence Force, will begin his five-year term as Governor-General on 31 August, succeeding Sir Anand Satyanand.