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Pomp and ceremony for new Governor General

Author
Newstalk ZB Staff ,
Publish Date
Wed, 28 Sep 2016, 5:10AM

Pomp and ceremony for new Governor General

Author
Newstalk ZB Staff ,
Publish Date
Wed, 28 Sep 2016, 5:10AM

UPDATED 3.36PM The country now officially has a new Governor General.

All the bells and whistles have been on display as new Governor General Dame Patsy Reddy has taken the oath, becoming the country's third female Governor General.

All branches of the armed forces were part of a royal guard of honour for the occasion.

Along with a powhiri, Dame Patsy was honoured with a 21 gun salute, and a full lineup of dignitaries, with politicians and diplomats heavily represented.

In her first speech Dame Patsy has made it clear she wants to encourage greater diversity within the country's leadership.

She said that covers all of those who've chosen New Zealand as their home.

"From tangata whenua through to our most recent arrivals from all parts of the world, we have extraordinary opportunity to maximise that human potential."

Gender equality was a theme for the Prime Minister at the ceremony.

John Key said New Zealand is already well regarded for gender equality, having been the first country to give women the vote and this strengthens the country's reputation.

"Dame Patsy's appointment send a strong message about New Zealand valuing women in leadership roles," he said.

Dame Patsy is also promising she'll take an independent and individual approach to the office.

In an interview given earlier this year, Dame Patsy made it clear she intends to make her own mark on the role.

"Well I will, because I'm my own person and every Governor General is different and I think they've all left a different mark in their own way, but I'm hoping that I will add to that fine tradition."

Dame Patsy said she's had the opportunity in her working life to do a whole range of different things, from developing the country's first casino in Auckland, being on the boards of Telecom and the NZTA, and her time as a Treaty negotiator for the Crown.

"I think I've got a relatively diverse background, and hopefully that will give me some advantage in understanding the diversity of New Zealand and encouraging diversity in New Zealand."

Dame Patsy now has five years to achieve those aims.

Video by Felix Marwick

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