Notes for my successor
Until the late 1960s New Zealand's governors-general were British, mainly minor aristocrats, admirals or generals. Each normally served a five-year term.
Few had visited New Zealand, so they needed advice about its climate, customs and cultures. They turned to several sources. Retired governors-general or friends who had lived here passed on helpful tips. New Zealand House in London also assisted.
They also had 'Notes for My Successor', a desk file written or updated by the outgoing governor-general. In a few typewritten pages this set out what his replacement could expect – the climate, local tradespeople and prices, and the perquisites and burdens that went with the job.
These notes were not meant for publication; they were scrappy, personal and informal. Still, they were refreshingly frank, so let's peer over the viceregal shoulder to see what the King's and Queen's men really thought about New Zealand's top job.
