The new Governor-General, Dame Patsy Reddy, was officially sworn in by the Chief Justice Dame Sian Elias. She is New Zealand’s 21st Governor-General. The ceremony was held in the grounds of Parliament. Hundreds of people were present. There was a Maori challenge and a salute by the soldiers of the Royal Guard of Honour. The Prime Minister made a speech, the band played the National Anthem and a choir sang. Dame Patsy spoke about her enthusiasm for the job. She praised, in particular, the previous Governor-General, Sir Jerry Mataparae, and the two previous female Governors-General – Dame Cath Tizard and Dame Silvia Cartwright. She thanked her husband, Sir David Gascoigne, for his support.
To find out more about Dame Patsy, listen to Our new Governor-General.
To find out more about the job of a Governor-General, listen to March 8 2011.
Vocabulary
• sworn in (pp of swear) – to promise (to serve the country)
• Maori challenge – traditional Maori welcome ceremony
• salute – probably a gun salute, to honour an important person
• enthusiasm – strong interest