Sir Paul Reeves a man of decency and integrity- Goff

Labour Leader Phil Goff has expressed his sincere condolences following the death of former Governor General Sir Paul Reeves.

“I am deeply saddened by his passing. I will remember Sir Paul as a very decent man, of the highest integrity and with a strong sense of compassion and commitment to social justice. So much of his life through the church and through his public roles was taken up by service to his community and to his country.

“It was a privilege to work with Sir Paul during his tenure as Governor General during the Fourth Labour Government and when I was Minister of Foreign Affairs during the Fifth Labour Government.

The first Queen's representative of Maori descent, Sir Paul became Archbishop of New Zealand in 1980 and served as Governor-General from 1985 to 1990. Sir Paul was made an Honorary Member of the Order of New Zealand in 2007.

“Sir Paul was widely respected for the measured, considered and principled way he carried out his role.

“My deepest sympathies are with Sir Paul’s wife Lady Beverley and his daughters Sarah, Bridget and Jane,” Phil Goff said.

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