Pageantry as governor-general farewelled
‘‘New Zealanders have shared with us their experiences – their triumphs, their tragedies, and their dreams.’’ Sir Jerry Mateparae
Governor-general Mateparae was farewelled yesterday.
A full military welcome for Mateparae and his wife, Janine Mateparae, took place on the steps of Parliament as part of a threehour farewell.
A royal salute from members of the Defence Force heralded his departure and he and his wife were welcomed with a powhiri and a hongi from Prime Minister John Key. It was a shoulder-tap from Key in 2011 that led Mateparae to the top job, shortly after he had joined the Government Communications Security Bureau.
Mateparae joined the army in 1972 and rose through the ranks to become chief of the Defence Force.
In his farewell speech, Mateparae reflected on the 1821 days he had been the Queen’s representative.
The pace had not let up from day one, he said.
‘‘Within the first three months of coming into office, we had the Pacific Islands Forum, the Rugby World Cup and an election.
‘‘As we step away from this office, it is friendships and unforgettable encounters that will leave the greatest impression.
‘‘New Zealanders have shared with us their experiences – their triumphs, their tragedies, and their dreams,’’ he said.
‘‘We have been inspired by their achievements, and the contributions they have made in their communities and for New Zealand.’’
He counted Pope Francis, with his ‘‘humanity, his sincerity, his humour and the serenity that surrounds him’’ among those who had left the greatest impression.
During Mateparae’s term, the nation has marked the 175th anniversary Sir Jerry officially of the Treaty of Waitangi signing, the 150th anniversary commemorations of the New Zealand Wars; the centenary of World War I, and the 75th anniversaries of significant World War II battles.
‘‘Like many New Zealanders, I have only recently found out more about my own family’s military heritage – what part my grandfathers had in the First World War.
‘‘As I walked where my koroua – Rawiri Mateparae – had, on the slopes below Chunuk Bair, the huge challenges that our soldiers faced during that ill-fated campaign, and an appreciation of their courage, commitment, comradeship and sacrifice became very personal.’’
He’s been to Tokelau, Niue and the Cook Islands, and the Subantarctic Islands – the ‘‘realm of New Zealand’’.
A dicky heart stopped him visiting the Antarctic and he blamed time, commitment and officials for stopping him from parachuting in the Kermadecs or visiting the Chatham Islands.
Mateparae had heart surgery in November 2015, days after he attended a memorial for late All Black Jonah Lomu.
Dame Patsy Reddy is to be the new governor-general.