Rt Hon John Key
Prime Minister

8 March 2011 Media Statement
PM welcomes Jerry Mateparae as next Governor-General

Prime Minister John Key today welcomed the announcement that the Queen has approved the appointment of Lieutenant General Jerry Mateparae to succeed Sir Anand Satyanand as Governor-General of New Zealand.

“Lieutenant General Jerry Mateparae is a highly regarded leader with a distinguished 38-year military career. He joined the New Zealand Army in 1972, and rose through the ranks, serving and commanding in a wide variety of roles,” says Mr Key.

“This culminated in his appointment as Chief of Defence Force in 2006. He is currently the director of the Government Communications Security Bureau.

“Jerry will be New Zealand’s 20th Governor-General. I believe he will bring great mana and a wide range of qualities to this role, including judgement, energy and an enthusiasm for encouraging excellence in others.

“As Governor-General, he will have the opportunity to work with a wide range of New Zealanders and develop an active programme in the community.

“Jerry has served New Zealand with dedication and honour throughout his career, and I am delighted that he has agreed to continue that service in a new, broader role,” says Mr Key.

“Sir Anand Satyanand’s term concludes on 23 August 2011. I would like to thank Sir Anand for his dedication and service in his role as Governor-General.”

There will be a State farewell for Sir Anand on 17 August. Jerry Mateparae will be sworn in on 31 August, beginning his five-year term.

ENDS

Attached: Biographical notes

Biographical Notes: Lieutenant General Jeremiah (Jerry) Mateparae

Jerry Mateparae, the third son of Rangiwhaiuru Mateparae and Rangitunoa Mateparae (nee Tahau), was born in Wanganui on the 14th of November 1954. He completed his primary and secondary school education in Wanganui at Castlecliff Primary School, Rutherford Intermediate School and Wanganui High School.

Of Maori descent, Jerry’s tribal affiliations are to Ngati Tuwharetoa and Ngati Kahungunu. He also has links to Tuhoe and tribes in the upper Whanganui.

Jerry’s current appointment is Director of the Government Communications Security Bureau (GCSB), which he took up on 7 February 2011. Prior to joining GCSB Jerry had a 38 year career with the New Zealand Defence Force, which culminated in his appointment as Chief of Defence Force in the rank of Lieutenant General from 1 May 2006 until 24 January 2011. Jerry was the first officer of Maori descent to hold the rank and appointment.

Jerry enlisted into the Regular Force of the New Zealand Army in June 1972. After three years service as a soldier, he graduated in 1976 from the Officer Cadet School at Portsea into the Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment. He served in both battalions of the Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment and with the New Zealand Special Air Service. He commanded a regionally-based combined force Truce Monitoring Group on the island of Bougainville during OPERATION BELISI in 1998. He also completed a 12-month tour of duty with the United Nations Truce Supervisory Organisation as the Chief Observer in southern Lebanon from May 1994 to May 1995.

Subsequently, as the New Zealand Army’s Land Commander Jerry was New Zealand’s Joint Commander for New Zealand forces in East Timor (December 1999 to July 2001). He was Chief of Army from 1 May 2002 until 30 April 2006.

Jerry is a graduate of the British Army Staff College at Camberley (1989), the Australian Joint Service Staff College at Canberra (1995) and the Royal College of Defence Studies in London (1999). He has a Master of Arts with First Class Honours from the University of Waikato, and was recognised by the University as one of its distinguished alumni in 2009. Jerry is also a Fellow of the New Zealand Institute of Management.

In the 1999 New Year’s Honours List Jerry was made an Additional Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for his service in Bougainville.

Jerry’s military career has shaped his advocacy of “excellence” and interest in developing leaders, the welfare of veterans and the development of New Zealand’s youth. His current community service includes the Rotary Club of Wellington, the Palmerston North Boys’ High School Board of Trustees and the Order of Saint Lazarus of Jerusalem. In the past, he has been a patron for various organisations and groups. Currently he is the patron of the New Zealand Special Air Service Association.

Jerry is married to Janine, and they have two daughters and three sons. His interests include keeping fit, diving, reading, sport, and health and wellbeing.

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