Anand Satyanand

Sir Anand Satyanand, GNZM, QSO, KStJ ( born July 22, 1944 in Auckland, New Zealand) was from August 2006 to August 2011 the Governor-General of New Zealand. Previously, he was a high judge and ombudsman.

Satyanand was the first Governor General of Asian descent and the first Catholic in this office. He comes from a Fiji - Indian family, grew up in Auckland ( North Island ) and studied at the University of Auckland, where he in 1970 received the degree of Bachelor of Laws.

Subsequently he worked for twelve years as a lawyer, for a time in the Crown Solicitors Office. 1982 he was appointed judge of an administrative unit. In 1995 he was appointed ombudsman and acted as such over two five-year periods. On August 23, 2006, he assumed the position of Governor-General Dame Silvia Cartwright as successor. His term ended on August 30, 2011.

Anand Satyanand is married and has three children.

Since 2006 he has been a Principal Companion of the Queen by highest -ranking member of the New Zealand Order of Merit Queen's Service Order.