Prime Minister John Key has announced the appointment of a high profile lawyer as New Zealand’s incoming governor-general.
Dame Patsy Reddy will be sworn in as New Zealand’s 21st governor-general in September, the third woman to hold the position, the government announced yesterday.
Reddy, who was named Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2014 for services to the arts and business, has held a number of high profile positions including chair of the New Zealand Film Commission and Education Payroll and has held directorships at Telecom, SkyCity, NZ Post and Air New Zealand.
“On behalf of the legal profession I welcome the news that she has been appointed to this very important role,” Law Society president Chris Moore said in a statement.
“The constitutional significance of Governor-General means the position must be filled by someone of the highest integrity.
“We are confident that Dame Patsy is such a person and a worthy successor to Sir Jerry Mateparae who has carried out the role with dignity and in a manner which represents all New Zealanders.
Reddy was the first woman to be appointed partner in the law firm that is now Minter Ellison Rudd Watts, the NZ Herald reported.
“I've been fortunate to hold a wide and diverse range of positions in my working life...that's largely by being prepared to accept challenges and opportunities when they've arisen,” Reddy said of her new appointment.
“It's given me a strong sense of optimism for our future.”
Prime minister John Key said he was delighted to announce a woman as governor-general.
“New Zealand is well regarded for gender equality, having been the first country to give women the vote. Dame Patsy's appointment sends a strong message about New Zealand valuing women in leadership roles,” he said.
