governor

History of the Governor-General

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  New Zealand has had a governor or (from 1917) a governor-general since 1840. The work of these men and women has reflected the constitutional and political history of New Zealand in many ways.

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• Page 2 – Modern duties

  The governor-general's duties are divided into three functions: ceremonial, community and constitutional.

• Page 3 – Crown colony era

  New Zealand became a British colony in 1840, legitimised by the Treaty of Waitangi and Lieutenant-Governor William Hobson's 21 May declaration of sovereignty.

• Page 4 – Responsible government

  From the 1840s settlers demanded a say in government. Governor George Grey suspended an overly elaborate constitution in 1846, but the New Zealand Constitution Act 1852 gave

• Page 5 – Splendid ornamentals

  With the appointment of Lord Onslow in 1889, a new type of governor took up residence in Government House.

Governors and Governors-General

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  New Zealand has had 16 resident governors and 22 governors-general. Two early governors were called governor-in-chief.

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• Page 2 – Selection process

  In the days of the Empire, the British government appointed New Zealand's governors and governors-general. New Zealand had no say.

• Page 3 – Career paths

  As the job evolved over time, so did the type of person needed to govern successfully. Between 1840 and 1853, when governors ruled personally, they were junior navy or army

• Page 4 – Genes, gender and age

  From 1840 until 1972, New Zealand's governors and governors-general were British.

Parliament Buildings

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  Parliament buildings have been modified, destroyed by fire, half-built and restored; the parliamentary places and spaces have formed an important part of New Zealand's history.

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• Page 2 - First Parliament buildingsAuckland was a bustling place in 1854 when Parliament met there for the first time. The buildings were located in paddocks on what was then the edge of town, Constitution Hill,

The House of Representatives

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  New Zealand's Parliament dates back to 1854, just 14 years after the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi and the beginning of the European settlement of the country. For most of its history as a nation state, New Zealand has had some form of elected government.

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• Page 3 - ParliamentToday there are two parts to Parliament – the House of Representatives (or the Lower House) and the Governor-General, but between 1854 and 1951 there was a third part, the

Notes for My Successor

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  Until the late 1960s New Zealand's governors-general were British, mainly minor aristocrats, or admirals or generals.

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• Page 5 – A home away from 'Home'

  Government House in Wellington is a busy place. Every year it hosts about 15,000 guests at 200 functions.

• Page 6 – Pay and perks and handy hints

  The colonial government cut the vice-regal salary and allowances from £7500 to £5000 in the late 1880s, just when the declining British aristocracy was looking to the

• Page 8 – From lieutenant-governor to governor-general

  An outgoing governor-general's 'Notes for My Successor' have had their day. New Zealand governors-general already know the country and have no need to pack their household