Changing titles
Captain William Hobson (served 1840–2) reached New Zealand early in 1840. He served as lieutenant-governor under Sir George Gipps, who as governor of New South Wales was also governor-in-chief of New Zealand. In 1841 New Zealand became a separate Crown colony with Hobson as governor.
In 1917, partway through the term of Lord Liverpool (1912–20), the title of governor was upgraded to governor-general. In those days this role also represented the British government in New Zealand, a function that since 1939 has been carried out by the British high commissioner. The governor-general represents the monarch, who is New Zealand's head of state.
The modern governor-general
An outgoing governor-general's 'Notes for My Successor' have had their day. New Zealanders already know the country and have no need to pack their household goods for a journey around the world.
After cabinet has made its decision, the governor-general designate meets the outgoing governor-general and the staff of Government House. She or he receives a series of briefings from officials and visits London to receive the commission from the King or Queen.
See also: a biography of the current governor-general.
Biographies of governors and governors-general
These biographies are available on the Dictionary of New Zealand Biography website:
- Bledisloe, Charles Bathurst (1867–1958)
- Bowen, George Ferguson (1821–99)
- Browne, Thomas Robert Gore (1807–87)
- Cobham, Charles John Lyttelton (1909–77)
- FitzRoy, Robert (1805–65)
- Freyberg, Bernard Cyril (1889–1963)
- Gordon, Arthur Hamilton (1829–1912)
- Grey, George (1812–98)
- Hobson, William (1792–1842)
- Holyoake, Keith Jacka (1904–83)
- Jellicoe, John Henry Rushworth (1859–1935)
- Jervois, William Francis Drummond (1821–97)
- Onslow, William Hillier (1853–1911)
- Porritt, Arthur Espie (1900–94)
A full list of New Zealand governors and governors-general, including the years in which they held office, is available from the Governor-general's website.
All governors and governors-general to 2006 are featured in the book, The governors.
