Next Governor-General
June 7th, 2010 at 2:48 pm by David FarrarHomepaddock blogs:
Queens Birthday is as good a time as any to speculate on who our next Governor General might be.
Trans Tasman’s weekly newsletter (you can subscribe here) suggests an unofficial list might include former Commonwealth Secretary-General Sir Don McKinnon, former PMs Jim Bolger and Dame Jenny Shipley and former Trade Mnister and chair of the Asia 2000 Foundation Philip Burdon.
I’d have thought Jim’s strong republican sympathies might preclude him. I think any of the others would be very good in the role and I’d put Jenny at the top of the list.
The term of Sir Anand Satyanand expires in August 2011. If it follows the same schedule as last time the next Governor-General will be offered the job around February 2011, and announced around April 2011.
I have to respectfully disagree with Ele though. While the above four people are all suitable in terms of their character and skills, they are not suitable as former MPs and politicians.
The Governor-General should be above politics, and scrupulously neutral. It should not be a retirement job for retired Ministers. The appointment of Sir Keith Holyoake was unwise, and should not become a precedent.
I think any political involvement, even if short of being an MP, should preclude appointment. Dame Cath Tizard was an inappropriate appointment also (not criticising the job she did) and even Sir Paul Reeves was marginal.
I have no idea whom the next Governor-General will be. They don’t have to have a high profile. They need to be successful in whatever career they have gone into, well respected and beyond reproach, able to represent NZ overseas, willing to do a mass of charity work and politically neutral.
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June 7th, 2010 at 2:54 pm
Sir Brian James Lochore, ONZ, KNZM, OBE
Fits all the criteria and most appropriate given the RWC.
Vote:June 7th, 2010 at 2:54 pm
If you are talking precedent – it seems there is a growing one for someone with a legal background, probably in case we have a constitutional crisis like with Whitlam in Australia or when the GG prorouged parliament in Canada.
Vote:June 7th, 2010 at 2:55 pm
Dead simple-
Run a national lottery, tickets $100 each,winning ticket holder gets job for 12 months, the lottery proceeds should more than cover the costs of running the GG.
Vote:June 7th, 2010 at 3:00 pm
Sir Peter Leitch would be interesting. But Johnboys’ suggestion is a good one.
Vote:June 7th, 2010 at 3:02 pm
Your man has much merit jbt. Barbies at the Gov’s would never be the same again.
Vote:June 7th, 2010 at 3:09 pm
Tipping J would be a fairly good choice in my view
Shipley would be too political in the role I feel and Bolger…no.just no
Another good choice would be to maybe bring the Fergusons back for another stint
Vote:June 7th, 2010 at 3:12 pm
I alway’s believed the Maori King or Queen should represent the King or Queen of England.
But I just won’t to speed up the process for NZ to became a republic.
Vote:June 7th, 2010 at 3:25 pm
No Pollies ever.
If they aren’t political, why not RKbee
Vote:June 7th, 2010 at 3:35 pm
Can you be a republic and have a monarchy at the sametime…
Vote:June 7th, 2010 at 3:39 pm
What the fuck. I’ll do the job. I need new digs for when I am in Wellington anyway.
Vote:June 7th, 2010 at 3:40 pm
I think you would be an excellent candidate Brian.
Vote:June 7th, 2010 at 3:45 pm
Sir John Anderson?
Vote:June 7th, 2010 at 3:46 pm
Any chance of someone inspiring? unlike the dead beats of the last 50 years.
Now Micheal Hill would be great. Inspiring, energetic, goal orientated. self made,pro kiwi, pro family, not a pollie, not a fucking lawyer thank God, Got a stash of cash so won’t abuse the credit card. Just all the right qualities.
Nominations closed.
Vote:Thankyou.
June 7th, 2010 at 3:48 pm
Well said Michael @ 3.45pm.
Sir John would be fantastic.
Vote:June 7th, 2010 at 3:50 pm
As the current lot have followed their predecessors in damned near everything they do surely the only question is which minority they want this appointment to come from.
Vote:June 7th, 2010 at 3:52 pm
MMMicheal Hill, Governor General.
Vote:Sounds good to me.
Certainly it should not be any person with political history.
June 7th, 2010 at 3:56 pm
Sir John, hmmm covert politico.
Vote:June 7th, 2010 at 4:24 pm
…. Jim Bolger??..no..noooo…noooooooooooooooo!!!!
Vote:June 7th, 2010 at 4:28 pm
Most of the suggestions here are too sensible and people have put too much thought into them BUT being very cynical today, the next one we have will have to have tits. We havn’t a woman in the job since that likeable old sot Dame Kath, so its time.
I just hope its not Sian Elias, she married a Fletcher and has fast tracked for no other reason.
Personally I would like to see Doug Myers but John Anderson is a very good choice
Vote:June 7th, 2010 at 4:31 pm
Sir Peter gets my vote too.
Vote:June 7th, 2010 at 4:40 pm
Sir Peter or Ricki Herbert.
Vote:June 7th, 2010 at 5:08 pm
The ultimate hypocrisy would be republican Jim Bolger attempting to become Governor General.
Vote:I guess it’d be just another change of colour for a well-trained chameleon and accomplished trougher.
June 7th, 2010 at 5:48 pm
Viking2 – I like your MIchael Hill suggestion. I think he would be excellent.
Vote:June 7th, 2010 at 7:32 pm
shipley..?….(shudder..!..)
phil(whoar.co.nz)
Vote:June 7th, 2010 at 7:46 pm
I heard a rumour that the bearded Maori with the PhD was being considered.
Vote:June 7th, 2010 at 7:49 pm
How about we grow up and get a Constitution and President sorted…
Vote:June 7th, 2010 at 10:49 pm
How bout Dame Kiri Te Kanawa.
Vote:She has class and an air of being above politics. She is also Maori and is at the end of her singing carreer. Lets repay her for the pride that she has brought New Zealand.
Colin Meads? Andy Hayden? Susan Devoy?
June 7th, 2010 at 11:22 pm
It hardly matters who the G-G is. They’re just invisible fete-openers these days. Any old beak with good manners and a high threshold of boredom would do.
Dame Kiri above politics? I don’t think so – not musical politics anyway. Talkback was running hot with contempt for her the other day after her haughty put-downs of Susan Boyle, Hayley Westenra etc. Clearly a big section of NZ regards her as a complete snob.
I was about to say a sports person would be inappropriate, but what about Sir Peter Snell?
He’s a wonderful chap who’d be hugely popular, and it would be just reward for his having been ignored by his home country for so long.
Also, at 70 he may be looking to wind down his medical career in Dallas and return to the land of his birth.
The only questions would be:
a) Could he stand the tedium of it?
Vote:b) Does a modern G-G really need to be a lawyer?
June 7th, 2010 at 11:38 pm
Dame Kiri was correct in all her comments musical, but she fails completely in tact and diplomacy, so definitely not a runner in my book.
Agree with earlier comments, Michael Hill is a high achiever and seems like an all-round good bastard, +1 vote from me.
Vote:June 8th, 2010 at 1:01 am
I think that Lieutenant General Jeremiah (Jerry) Mateparae is also worth a look. Due to retire as CDF early next year after 5 years in the post.
Vote:June 8th, 2010 at 5:07 am
Howzabout we have an ELECTION for Governor General? Instead of having some lackey being given a nice retirement?
They could make me the GG, except I’d probably refuse Royal Assent too many times
Vote:June 8th, 2010 at 7:35 am
I agree with you David,
The role of Governor General should always be politically neutral and impartial.
Vote:June 8th, 2010 at 8:57 am
Rear Admiral Welch would be an excellent choice. Keep clear of the politicians and lawyers.
Vote:June 8th, 2010 at 1:13 pm
“The appointment of Sir Keith Holyoake was unwise, and should not become a precedent.”
Err … David, why? Did you know him? Had you even been born then? If so, what what did you know about him and what was the source of your information for such a comment?
As for you other comments. Quite agree, if perhaps for not the same reasons as you.
Jenny Shipley? Simply dreadful and already out of her depth by the time she was minister of social welfare.
Bolger? In many ways a good man personally, who in the end simply couldn’t stomach Richardson (and Shipley) — but too much an Irish Catholic republican. His mother would be scolding him from Heaven, so she would.
Someone mentioned Lt-Gen Jerry Mateparae. Maybe. Good to have a break from judges.
Sir Brian Lochore. Certainly. Might be regarded as a bit old (he is 70).
But then there’s another, who has recently announced his retirement — Air Marshal Sir Bruce Ferguson.
Vote:June 8th, 2010 at 1:44 pm
Perhaps they could offer Fergie the job? Christ knows she really could use the money.
Vote:June 8th, 2010 at 3:20 pm
Bring back Buck I say — before the Robbie Deans supporters chime in!
Vote:June 8th, 2010 at 3:54 pm
“We havn’t a woman in the job since that likeable old sot Dame Kath, so its time.”
Er, you don’t count Dame Silvia, the immediate past predecessor to the current GG?
FM
Vote:June 8th, 2010 at 5:58 pm
Correct FM, apology.
She had the judicial personality removal operation though.
We dont need a lawyer ts all tis all
Vote: