'To be invisible is to be forgotten,' constitutional theorist Walter Bagehot (1826–77) warned. For the King or Queen's New Zealand representative, the Governor-General, that meant hitting the road
New Zealand has had a governor or (from 1917) a Governor-General since 1840. The work of these men and women has reflected the constitutional and political history of New Zealand in many ways.
Lord and Lady Bledisloe (1930–35). Lord Bledisloe encouraged New Zealanders to buy locally made garments but privately confessed that they were not the best.
New Zealanders still loved a good viceregal do. In 1948, for example, at the Dunedin railway station, almost everyone turned out to welcome Sir Bernard and Lady Freyberg (1946–52): the mayor, city councillors and senior staff, local Members of Parliament, county councillors, harbour and hospital board members and officers.
Until the late 1960s New Zealand's Governors-General were British, mainly minor aristocrats or admirals and generals. Few had visited New Zealand, so they needed advice about its climate, customs and cultures.
As the job evolved over time, so did the type of person needed to govern successfully. Between 1840 and 1853, when governors ruled personally, they were junior navy or army officers.
New Zealand became a British colony in 1840, legitimised by the Treaty of Waitangi and Lieutenant-Governor William Hobson's declaration of 21 May declaring sovereignty over the islands.
Today there are two parts to Parliament – the House of Representatives (or the Lower House) and the Governor-General, but between 1854 and 1951 there was a third part, the Legislative Council (or the Upper House).
24 May, Queen Victoria's birthday, was Empire Day. Most people welcomed this link to 'Queen Victoria the Good' in the days when the celebration of the sovereign's birthday changed with each new monarch.
In the 1840s settlers were demanding a say in government. Governor Grey suspended an overly elaborate constitution in 1846, but the New Zealand Constitution Act 1852 gave male voters representative government.
As the new boy would have known, it was a so-called job for the boys, a political gift. Lords Bledisloe (1930–35), Galway (1935–41) and Sir Bernard Freyberg (1946–52), for example, were Conservatives.
The constitutional arrangements of the British Empire changed greatly between the creation of the Imperial War Cabinet in 1917 and the passing of the Statute of Westminster in 1931.
From 1926, in accordance with decisions taken as a consequence of the Balfour Declaration, Governors-General merely represented the sovereign in New Zealand.
During the final year of a Governor-General's term of office, the larger towns and cities put on official farewells and functions, such as this New Zealand Maoris versus New Zealand rugby match.
Empire Day segued into Commonwealth Day in 1958 when 100 people gathered around Queen Victoria's statue in Albert Park to hear Governor-General Lord Cobham say that 'the British Empire had now given way to the noble concept of a Commonwealth of free peoples'
Sir Bernard Fergusson was Governor-General from 1962 to 1967. Governing New Zealand ran in the Fergusson blood. Sir Bernard was the third Fergusson to occupy Government House. His grandfather, Sir James Fergusson, was governor from 1873 to 1874 and his father, Sir Charles Fergusson, was Governor-General from 1924 to 1930.
An outgoing Governor-General's 'Notes for My Successor' have had their day. New Zealand Governors-General already know the country and have no need to pack their household goods for a journey around the world.
The Governor-General's flag consists of the royal crest in gold on a royal blue ground. It was designed in 1931 but not flown immediately because Governor-General Lord Bledisloe (1930–5) preferred the old design, which featured the Union Flag.
Diplomats present their credentials to the Governor-General at ceremonies at Government House. In 2003 the Ambassador for Japan, His Excellency Mr Masaki Saito, responded to a wero (welcoming challenge) at Government House Wellington when he presented his credentials to Governor-General Dame Silvia Cartwright (2001–2006).
In 1990 New Zealand's first Maori Governor-General, Sir Paul Reeves (1985–90) (right), swore in ministers in the newly elected National government of Jim Bolger (third from right); the Cabinet secretary and clerk of the Executive Council
The symbolic highpoint of our first Empire Day came when Lord Ranfurly laid the foundation stone for the veterans' home that later came to bear his name. Ranfurly saw successive generations of war veterans such as these blind men seen enjoying their pipes on the veranda, as reinforcing imperial links.
Sir Bernard and Lady Freyberg (1946–52) pose with members of the official staff, who are in the uniform tailcoats that were worn, at that time, for many official events.
Aides-de-camp salute as the Governor-General designate, Sir Charles Willoughby Moke Norrie (1952–7) and Lady Norrie descend the gangway on their arrival in New Zealand.
In 1951 Sir Bernard Freyberg (1946–52) became Lord Freyberg of Wellington, New Zealand and of Munstead in the County of Surrey. Back in Britain, he was appointed deputy constable and lieutenant-governor of Windsor Castle, where died in 1963.
Sir Arthur Espie Porritt (1967–72) was a transitional figure – New Zealand-born, but a British resident. He was the last Governor-General to wear the full civil uniform. In 1973, back in Britain, he was made Baron Porritt of Wanganui and Hampstead.
Since 1990 Governors-General have represented New Zealand overseas on ceremonial occasions. In June 2004 Dame Silvia Cartwright, the Governing Mayor of Berlin, Klaus Wowereit, (centre) and Peter Cartright (right) walked through the Brandenburg Gate as part of Dame Slivia's official visit to Germany.
Government House often hosts distinguished visitors. Here Sir Cyril (1940–46) and Lady Newall and senior staff entertain America's First Lady, Eleanor Roosevelt, in 1943
