Governor-General of New Zealand since 2021
Dame Alcyion Cynthia Kiro
GNZM
QSO
DStJ
(
M?ori:
[kiː??]
);
[2]
nee
Simpson
; born 1958
[3]
) is a New Zealand public-health academic, administrator, and advocate, who has served as the 22nd
governor-general of New Zealand
since 21 October 2021. Kiro is the first
M?ori
woman and the third person of M?ori descent to hold the office.
Before she was announced as governor-general designate, Kiro was Chief Executive of the
Royal Society Te Ap?rangi
and was previously the
Children's Commissioner
, head of school of the School of Public Health at
Massey University
, head of Te Kura M?ori at
Victoria University of Wellington
, and Pro-Vice Chancellor (M?ori) of the
University of Auckland
.
During her term as governor-general, Kiro responded to the
death of Elizabeth II
, and has undertaken several overseas visits, including attending the
Platinum Jubilee
and
state funeral of Queen Elizabeth II
and the
coronation of King Charles III
in the United Kingdom.
Early life and education
[
edit
]
Kiro was born in
Whang?rei
in 1958, the eldest child of six.
[4]
She is of M?ori and English descent, affiliating with
Ng? Puhi
,
Ng?ti Kahu
, and
Ng?ti Hine
iwi
.
[5]
[6]
Her father was Norman Simpson, who was originally from the north of England.
[7]
Her mother's maiden name was Ngawaiunu Kiro and her maternal grandparents were Te Rangihaeata Hemi Kiro and Hukatere Miha Maihi.
[8]
She was raised by her mother's parents for part of her early life and took their surname of
Kiro
. One of her sisters also has the name
Kiro
, while her other siblings have the name
Simpson
.
[7]
She grew up in
South Auckland
and
West Auckland
. Her grandparents moved to South Auckland, living at
?tara
and then
M?ngere
.
[7]
Her parents also moved to Auckland and the family lived at
New Lynn
and
Te Atat?
in West Auckland.
[4]
Kiro attended
Rutherford High School
in Te Atat?.
[7]
[9]
She then joined the first cohort of social work students at
Massey University
in Palmerston North
[9]
and later graduated with a
Bachelor of Arts
degree in
social sciences
from the
University of Auckland
.
[10]
In 1987 Kiro gained a certificate in epidemiology from the
European University Institute
in
Fiesole, Italy
.
[10]
Career
[
edit
]
From 1995 to 2000, Kiro was a senior lecturer in social policy at Massey University in Albany.
[11]
In 2001 she was awarded a
PhD
in social policy by Massey University for a thesis entitled
Kimihia Hauora M?ori = M?ori Health Policy and Practice
.
[12]
She went on to gain a
Master of Business Administration
(Executive) degree from the University of Auckland.
[13]
Kiro was appointed New Zealand's
Children's Commissioner
in 2003 and served in this role until 2008.
[11]
[14]
While in this position she established the Taskforce for Action on Family Violence that included many government department chief executives and people from the police, the
Family Courts
, and M?ori and Pacific Island representatives.
[15]
The passing of the
Crimes (Substituted Section 59) Amendment Act 2007
during her tenure attracted considerable public and media interest.
[16]
Kiro supported and advocated for the repeal of Section 59 of the Crimes Act, which provided a legal justification for using force against children.
[17]
Kiro returned to academia, as an associate professor at Massey University and heading its School of Public Health.
[18]
[19]
In 2013 Kiro took a position as head of Te Kura M?ori at the School of Education at
Victoria University of Wellington
.
[20]
Kiro went on to serve as the Pro-Vice Chancellor (M?ori) at the
University of Auckland
.
[21]
In October 2020 Kiro was appointed chief executive of the
Royal Society Te Ap?rangi
, commencing on 1 March 2021.
[21]
Governor-general
[
edit
]
Appointment and investiture
[
edit
]
On 24 May 2021,
Prime Minister
Jacinda Ardern announced that
Elizabeth II, Queen of New Zealand
, had agreed to her recommendation to appoint Kiro as the next governor-general of New Zealand from 21 October 2021. The five-year term of the previous governor-general, Dame
Patsy Reddy
, ended on 28 September 2021.
[13]
Kiro is the first
M?ori
woman to be appointed governor-general.
[22]
Kiro was
invested
as a Dame Grand Cross of the New Zealand Order of Merit and Companion of the Queen's Service Order by Queen Elizabeth II during a private audience via video call on 19 October (18 October in Britain).
[23]
She was sworn in as governor-general by the
chief justice
,
Helen Winkelmann
, at Parliament on 21 October.
[24]
[25]
The ceremony was smaller than usual because of
national COVID-19 restrictions
on the size of gatherings.
[24]
Duties
[
edit
]
2021
[
edit
]
Kiro gave her first
royal assent
as governor-general on 27 October,
[26]
when she gave assent to the Financial Sector (Climate-related Disclosures and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2021 and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) Legislation Act 2021.
[27]
[28]
2022
[
edit
]
Kiro made her first international visit as governor-general in May 2022, when she travelled to Abu Dhabi to represent New Zealand at the official condolence ceremony for Sheikh
Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan
, the late president of the United Arab Emirates.
[29]
On 1 June 2022, Kiro and her husband, Richard Davies, travelled to the United Kingdom for a week-long tour to celebrate the
Platinum Jubilee of Elizabeth II
. They attended the
Service of Thanksgiving
at
St Paul's Cathedral
in London on 3 June, the
Platinum Party at the Palace
on the evening of 4 June, and the
Platinum Jubilee Pageant
, which included New Zealand defence personnel, on 5 June.
[30]
They also held bilateral meetings with some other Commonwealth governors-general.
[31]
On 14 June, Kiro, in the exercise of her constitutional role, swore in a
government minister
for the first time, when
Kieran McAnulty
was appointed to the
Executive Council
.
[32]
Kiro and Davies visited Samoa from 4 to 8 September to take part in celebrations marking the 60th anniversary of Samoan independence from New Zealand.
[33]
Kiro and Davies travelled to the United Kingdom to attend the
state funeral of Elizabeth II
at
Westminster Abbey
on 19 September 2022, joined by Prime Minister
Jacinda Ardern
.
[34]
2023
[
edit
]
Kiro accepted the
resignation of Prime Minister Ardern
and formally appointed
Chris Hipkins
as prime minister and
Carmel Sepuloni
as deputy prime minister at Government House on 25 January.
[35]
[36]
The Governor-General travelled to London to attend the
coronation of Charles III and Camilla
in May.
[37]
Kiro appointed
Christopher Luxon
and his
Sixth National Government
to their respective ministries at Government House on 27 November.
Honours and awards
[
edit
]
Viceregal styles of
Dame Cindy Kiro
(2021?present)
|
---|
|
Reference style
| Her Excellency the Right Honourable
|
---|
Spoken style
| Your Excellency
|
---|
In 2012, Kiro received the Public Health Champion award from the Public Health Association of New Zealand, and a US
Fulbright Travel Award
.
[38]
[39]
The same year she was also named the M?ori of the Year for Community Contribution by
Television New Zealand
.
[38]
In the
2021 New Year Honours
, Kiro was appointed a
Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit
, for services to child wellbeing and education.
[40]
[41]
[42]
On
9 August 2021
, Kiro was appointed an additional
Dame Grand Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit
and an additional
Companion of the Queen's Service Order
in preparation for becoming governor-general.
[43]
As governor-general, Kiro is entitled to be styled "
Her Excellency
" while in office and "
The Right Honourable
" for life.
[44]
[45]
On 21 October 2021, Kiro was appointed a
Dame of the Order of Saint John
by the Queen and appointed a prior of the same order as the governor-general.
[46]
In 2022, Kiro was awarded an honorary Doctor of Health degree by Massey University.
[47]
Personal life
[
edit
]
Kiro was married to architect, later teacher,
[4]
Chris Kuchel for 30 years, and had two sons with him.
[48]
Five years after separating, she met her current husband
Richard Davies
, a
GP
and a former member of the
Falkland Islands Legislative Council
, and is stepmother to his two sons.
[9]
[21]
[48]
See also
[
edit
]
References
[
edit
]
- ^
Small, Zane (24 May 2021).
"Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announces Dame Cindy Kiro as next Governor-General"
.
Newshub
.
- ^
www.dynamo6.com.
"kiro - Te Aka M?ori Dictionary"
.
kiro - Te Aka M?ori Dictionary
. Retrieved
19 March
2024
.
{{
cite web
}}
: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (
link
)
- ^
"Dame Cindy Kiro Net Worth 2023, Age, Husband, Children, Family, Parents, Salary"
. 2 January 2023.
- ^
a
b
c
Hewitson, Michelle (15 August 2003).
"A horribly good voice for the kids"
.
NZ Herald
.
Archived
from the original on 24 May 2021
. Retrieved
24 May
2021
.
- ^
"Associate Professor Cindy Kiro ? Massey University"
. massey.ac.nz. Archived from
the original
on 14 July 2014
. Retrieved
7 June
2014
.
- ^
"Dame Cindy Kiro - from humble beginnings to Governor General"
.
RNZ
. 25 May 2021
. Retrieved
25 May
2021
.
- ^
a
b
c
d
Husband, Dale (7 November 2021).
"Dame Cindy Kiro: A p?hara k?tiro from the wop-wops"
.
E-Tangata
. Retrieved
7 November
2021
.
- ^
"Haere r? Professor Dame Cindy Kiro"
. University of Auckland. 24 February 2021
. Retrieved
7 November
2021
.
- ^
a
b
c
Evans, Julianne (November 2018).
"Nau mai e Cindy"
(PDF)
.
Uni News
.
University of Auckland
: 6?7
. Retrieved
24 May
2021
.
- ^
a
b
"ORCID"
.
- ^
a
b
"Dr Cindy Kiro appointed Commissioner for Children"
. beehive.govt.nz. 13 August 2003.
Archived
from the original on 24 May 2021
. Retrieved
7 June
2014
.
- ^
Kiro, Cynthia A. (2001).
"Kimihia Hauora M?ori = M?ori Health Policy and Practice"
(PDF)
. Massey University
. Retrieved
24 May
2021
.
- ^
a
b
"Dame Cindy Kiro to be next Governor-General of New Zealand - Ardern"
.
Radio New Zealand
. 24 May 2021.
Archived
from the original on 24 May 2021
. Retrieved
24 May
2021
.
- ^
Romanos, Joseph (6 May 2009).
"The Wellingtonian interview: Cindy Kiro"
.
Stuff
. Retrieved
7 June
2014
.
- ^
"Professor Cindy Kiro - Chair"
.
Welfare Expert Advisory Group - Kia Piki Ake
.
Archived
from the original on 21 January 2019
. Retrieved
24 May
2021
.
- ^
"Anti-smacking bill becomes law"
.
NZ Herald
. 16 May 2007.
Archived
from the original on 6 November 2020
. Retrieved
24 May
2021
.
- ^
"Public Health Champion 2012 ? Cindy Kiro"
. Public Health Association of New Zealand. Archived from
the original
on 14 July 2014
. Retrieved
7 June
2014
.
- ^
"Maori graduates' achieve success"
.
Stuff
. 29 April 2010
. Retrieved
24 May
2021
.
- ^
"Associate Professor Cindy Kiro | Ng? Pae o te M?ramatanga"
. maramatanga.ac.nz. Archived from
the original
on 5 February 2013
. Retrieved
7 June
2014
.
- ^
"New staff at Te Kura M?ori"
.
www.wgtn.ac.nz
. 8 April 2013.
Archived
from the original on 24 May 2021
. Retrieved
24 May
2021
.
- ^
a
b
c
"Professor Cynthia Kiro appointed as Ahorangi Chief Executive"
.
Royal Society Te Ap?rangi
. Retrieved
9 October
2020
.
- ^
"Dame Cindy Kiro: New Zealand's first M?ori woman to be governor-general, on her 'very poor' upbringing and life of service"
.
The New Zealand Herald
. 24 May 2021
. Retrieved
24 May
2021
.
- ^
"The Queen invests Dame Cindy Kiro with the traditional Insignia of the Governor-General in video call"
.
Stuff
. 19 October 2021
. Retrieved
21 October
2021
.
- ^
a
b
"Dame Cindy Kiro sworn in as Governor-General"
.
RNZ
. 21 October 2021
. Retrieved
21 October
2021
.
- ^
Smith, Phil (22 October 2021).
"Swearing-in a Governor General: a photo essay"
.
RNZ
.
Archived
from the original on 23 October 2021
. Retrieved
23 October
2021
.
- ^
"New governor-general Dame Cindy Kiro gives her first royal assent"
. New Zealand Parliament. 2 November 2021
. Retrieved
6 September
2022
.
- ^
"Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) Legislation Bill"
. New Zealand Parliament
. Retrieved
6 September
2022
.
- ^
"Financial Sector (Climate-related Disclosures and Other Matters) Amendment Bill"
. New Zealand Parliament
. Retrieved
6 September
2022
.
- ^
"Launch of the Trees that Count Legacy Project for the Platinum Jubilee"
. Office of the governor-general. 6 September 2022
. Retrieved
16 May
2022
.
- ^
"Governor-general's visit to the UK for the Queen's platinum jubilee week"
.
Scoop Independent News
.
Scoop
. 31 May 2022
. Retrieved
17 June
2022
.
- ^
"HM Queen Elizabeth II platinum jubilee celebrations in London"
. Government House. 9 June 2022
. Retrieved
6 September
2022
.
- ^
"Appointment of minister and allocation of portfolios"
(Press release). Government House
. Retrieved
17 June
2022
.
- ^
"Governor-General Dame Cindy Kiro inspects the Samoan Police Service as 60th celebrations start"
.
The New Zealand Herald
. 6 September 2022
. Retrieved
6 September
2022
.
- ^
"Memorial events in the UK"
. Government House
. Retrieved
22 September
2022
.
- ^
Muzaffar, Maroosha (25 January 2023).
"Chris Hipkins sworn in as New Zealand's new prime minister"
.
The Independent
. Retrieved
26 January
2023
.
- ^
"Jacinda Ardern's successor Chris Hipkins sworn in as New Zealand PM"
.
BBC News
. 25 January 2023
. Retrieved
26 January
2023
.
- ^
Sadler, Rachel (18 April 2023).
"Chris Hipkins attending King Charles' coronation, NATO, visiting Australia this weekend"
.
Newshub
. Retrieved
30 July
2023
.
- ^
a
b
"Prof Dame Cynthia Kiro - The University of Auckland"
.
unidirectory.auckland.ac.nz
. Retrieved
24 May
2021
.
- ^
"PHA Awards"
.
www.pha.org.nz
. Retrieved
24 May
2021
.
- ^
"New Year honours list 2021"
. Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. 31 December 2020
. Retrieved
31 December
2020
.
- ^
"New Year Honours: Former children's commissioner Prof Cindy Kiro made dame companion"
.
Stuff
. 30 December 2020
. Retrieved
24 May
2021
.
- ^
"New Year's Honours 2021 list announced"
.
RNZ
. 31 December 2020
. Retrieved
24 May
2021
.
- ^
"Special honours list 9 August 2021"
. Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. 10 August 2021
. Retrieved
10 August
2021
.
- ^
"Protocols"
. New Zealand Parliament. 2015. pp. 5, 9. Archived from the original on 12 June 2018
. Retrieved
8 June
2018
.
{{
cite web
}}
: CS1 maint: unfit URL (
link
)
- ^
"
"The Right Honourable"
"
. Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. 1 April 2011
. Retrieved
21 October
2021
.
- ^
"Order of St John"
.
The London Gazette
. No. 3936025. 25 November 2021.
- ^
"Honorary doctorate citation, Cindy Kiro, 2022"
.
Massey University
. 25 November 2022
. Retrieved
22 October
2022
.
- ^
a
b
Tailor, Leena (7 June 2021).
"Dame Cindy Kiro: 'I know what it's like to go hungry'
"
.
New Zealand Woman's Weekly
. Retrieved
22 October
2021
.
External links
[
edit
]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to
Cindy Kiro
.
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