The Governor-General’s Three Roles
Their Excellencies attend hundreds of functions throughout New Zealand each year.
The Governor-General has three overlapping roles-the constitutional, the ceremonial and the community leadership roles.
Constitutional:
The Governor-General's constitutional role is to maintain the legitimacy and continuity of government by ensuring there is always a government in office with a democratic mandate to govern. Legitimacy is the foundation of civil peace and the order that is maintained by the rule of law.
Some of the Governor-General's constitutional roles include signing the writ that dissolves Parliament before a general election is held and formally requesting the leader of the political party with support of a majority in the House of Representatives to form a government.
The Governor-General's formal title includes the phrase "Commander-in-Chief in and over New Zealand" but he or she does not play an active role in military matters.
Ceremonial:
The Governor-General represents all New Zealanders at important public ceremonies. These include opening new sessions of Parliament, welcoming visiting Heads of State, receiving the credentials of ambassadors and high commissioners and attending Waitangi Day and Anzac Day commemorations. Increasingly, at the request of the Prime Minister, Governors-General have represented New Zealand internationally; undertaking state visits to enhance relations between New Zealand and other countries as well as attending important ceremonies overseas.
The Governor-General also holds investiture ceremonies where New Zealand honours are conferred. These ceremonies are an opportunity to celebrate the achievements of New Zealanders in fields as diverse as sport, science, business, education, the law, and public and community service.
Community Leadership:
The Governor-General provides non-partisan community leadership. The Governor-General, and his wife, are the patrons of many charitable, service, sporting, cultural and community organisations. This follows the tradition of royal patronage established in the United Kingdom, although the practice of granting Royal Warrants and Royal Charters has not been continued in New Zealand.
Many of the Governor-General's community functions also have a ceremonial dimension, such as officially opening new buildings, schools and other facilities, addresses to open or close conferences, presenting awards, or launching special events and appeals.
The Governor-General, Hon Sir Anand Satyanand, has emphasised the need for New Zealanders to recognise their nation's growing cultural, religious and ethnic diversity, to be more engaged with their communities and has promoted the importance of civic education.
The Governor-General's community role takes up a great deal of time. During most years, the Governor-General will attend more than 400 functions at Government House or throughout the country. During regular regional visits, the Governor-General meets and talks with New Zealanders from all walks of life.
