Governor-General of New Zealand

The Governor-General of New Zealand (English The Governor - General and Commander -in- Chief in and over the Realm of New Zealand, Māori Te Kawana o Aotearoa Tianara ) is the representative of the head of state and the sovereign of the Kingdom of New Zealand. This kingdom includes not only New Zealand, the Cook Islands, Niue, Tokelau and the Ross Dependency. In the Cook Islands, the representation is done directly by the Queen's Representative. De facto, the Governor-General the head of state of New Zealand (including Tokelau and the Ross Dependency ) and Niue.

The office of Governor-General of New Zealand has held since 31 August 2011, the former lieutenant general of the New Zealand Army, Jerry Mate Para. He represents the British Queen Elizabeth II as Queen of New Zealand. Governor General is Wellington, New Zealand's capital. Until the 1960s, only members of the British aristocracy were provided as representatives.

History

Governor

In 1642 Abel Tasman discovered the first European to New Zealand. A European colonization took place only after the re- discovery by James Cook and Jean François Marie de Surville in 1769. According to clashes with the indigenous Māori, the British government in 1832 James Busby sent as Resident to New Zealand. He wrote a Declaration of Independence, signed 34 Māori chiefs of the North Island on 28 October 1835 to July 1839 there were 52 signatories. At this time there was a strong interest of the French in New Zealand, which led to that later on the Banks Peninsula, a French settlement was founded in August 1840. Because of political pressure, and competition for New Zealand, the Colonial Office decided to send William Hobson as consul to New Zealand to negotiate an annexation in London in February 1839. This was followed by the Office of a recommendation Hobson, who had suggested to protect British settlers annexation of New Zealand in the British Empire after the Indian model.

With the Letters Patent of 15 June 1839, George Gipps, Governor of New South Wales, a precaution used as Governor -in- Chief of New Zealand, although no legal basis existed for it. Gipps, in turn, appointed Hobson addition to the Lieutenant Governor of New Zealand. Hobson traveled the end of January to the Bay of Islands to negotiate a contract for the annexation of New Zealand by the United Kingdom. On February 6, 1840, signed Hobson and 45 Māori chiefs the Treaty of Waitangi. So George Gipps was the first Governor of New Zealand. He has, however, never entered New Zealand soil. With the Letters Patent of November 16, 1840 New Zealand was declared a British colony and independent Hobson used as governor. He proclaimed it after receipt of the document on May 3, 1841 so that is considered de facto as the first Governor of New Zealand.

Since there were no elected politicians and to 1856 by Parliament no specific government until 1853, ruled the first three governors, William Hobson, Robert FitzRoy and George Edward Grey, the colony independently with the support of the Executive Council. With the election of Henry Sewell for the first Prime Minister of New Zealand on May 7, 1856, should change this. Now on the basis of the Constitution Act of 1852, the political power lay with the Parliament and the Government. The governors retained control of the military, national defense and foreign policy. Also in the interests of Māori governors were involved, in which case the responsibilities were not clearly defined.

The first governors of New Zealand in the 19th century were mainly difficulties with the colony in self-government. They came as officers in this office or British colonies were used where no British nationals were to govern. The British -born settlers erected, despite their loyalty to the mother country for their autonomy and independence vehemently. This meant that on July 12, 1907 decided in the House of Representatives of the transition to the Dominion and was proclaimed by Governor William Plunket, 5th Baron Plunket on September 26, 1907 to the public.

Governor-general

With the Letters Patent of May 11, 1917 New Zealand was granted by King George V as a permanent representative of the Crown Governor General and Commander in Chief. This was in recognition of the support of the United Kingdom during the First World War. This was the first Governor-General of New Zealand on 28 June 1917, the Governor Arthur Foljambe, 2nd Earl of Liverpool.

Arthur Porritt was from 1967 to 1972, the first Governor-General, who was born in New Zealand. His successor Denis Blundell was not a British citizen as the first Governor-General. All previous governors had always been abgeordert and went to the end of their service life back to the UK.

1974 criticized the then Prime Minister Bill Rowling, that the Queen of New Zealand not enough could effectively represent New Zealand overseas and advocated that the Governor General should take on this task. Even the British Crown from the penny-pinching policy was criticized because she ordered the governor and held the means scarce. This changed in 1983, when the political pressure towards could now decide on the establishment and cost of the governor offices the New Zealand Parliament and since then the Governor-General by the Prime Minister of New Zealand is proposed.

Appointing and replacing

The appointment of the Governor-General must be carried out in the presence of the Chief Justice or some other judge of the High Court and the Executive Council. The Governor-General is required to complete an oath of office. If the Governor-General is unable to perform his duties or the office is temporarily vacant, the Chief Justice shall exercise the office of Governor-General on behalf of. Also this is not available, the Governor-General is represented by the most senior judge of the country.

Functions and powers

With the Letters Patent dated 1 November 1983, the Governor-General of New Zealand was simultaneously appointed governor-general of the Cook Islands, Niue, Tokelau and the Ross Dependency area and as Commander - in-Chief of their military commander.

The Governor General and the House of Representatives together constitute the New Zealand Parliament.

The Governor-General of New Zealand has the duty and the right to:

  • To open the meeting of a new Parliament.
  • Make the appointment of the Prime Minister.
  • To accept the resignation of the Prime Minister.
  • To dismiss the prime minister, dissolve parliament and call new elections.
  • Laws that were passed in the House of Representatives to give his signature the Royal Assent and thus to give the force of law.
  • On the recommendation of the Prime Minister to appoint the President of the Supreme Court.
  • On the recommendation of the Minister, to appoint officials in key positions.
  • On the recommendation of the Minister of Justice or at the request, express apologies for miscarriages of justice, prison reductions and / or pardons.
  • Convene the Executive Council and to guide the Presidency, without being a member.
  • The Kingdom of New Zealand to represent inward and outward.

The Governor-General of New Zealand has to perceive most prestigious appointments in the years between 400 and 500.

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