Name: The Honourable Anand Satyanand

Occupation: The Governor-General of Aotearoa New Zealand

What does a Governor-General do?
The Governor-General is the personal representative of Queen Elizabeth II who lives in London. The Governor-General assents to the laws made by the New Zealand Parliament and to decisions of the Government in the name of the Queen.

What did you do before you became the Governor-General?
I was a lawyer, then a judge, and then an ombudsman, each for about 10 years.

How did you become a Governor-General?
The Prime Minister invites a person to take up the role of Governor-General after discussing suitable candidates with the Cabinet and senior ministers.

What is the best part of your job?
The best part of my job is meeting so many New Zealanders who have done a different things that require either commendation or encouragement, or support.

What’s the hardest part of the job?
The hardest part of the job is fitting everything in! I receive lots of requests to participate in community events, launches, official openings, appeals, and other ceremonies, as well as the formal events affecting the Government.

What was it like meeting The Queen?
The Queen and the Duke were very kind and hospitable and made it clear to us how much they like New Zealand and its people. My wife Susan and I were made to feel very welcome.

If you weren’t the Governor General, what would you like to be doing?
If I was not the Governor-General I am certain that I would have some kind of job concerning people.

What kind of sports are you interested in?
I follow many sports, but in particular, cricket, rugby, and rugby league.

Do you travel a lot? What country do you really enjoy visiting?
Yes. I enjoy travelling all over New Zealand and I also love visiting the Pacific countries.

What kind of training do you need to be Governor-General?
There is no prescribed training but it helps to have some detailed knowledge of how the New Zealand Government operates, and how change can be brought about.

What do think makes a good Governor-General?
A Governor-General should be interested in our country and its people, and be willing to encourage the good things about the country and its people.

Page created July 2007