'Notes For My Successor'
Tips for New Governors-General
Tips for New Governors-General
NZHistory.net / Gallery / Governors-General exhibition /
As the new boy would have known, it was 'a job for the boys', a political gift. Lords Bledisloe (1930-35) , Galway (1935-41) and Sir Bernard Freyberg (1946-52), for example, were Conservatives.
[ Related Link: Hear Lord Galway speaking at the opening of the NZ Centennial Exhibition ]
The 1926 Imperial Conference confirmed that Dominions (New Zealand had become one in 1907) could nominate their Governors-General. Politicians, however, clung to the old ways. Under this system the British prime minister drew up a short list, ran it past the monarch for approval and then asked the New Zealand prime minister to choose.
Sir Bernard and Lady Freyberg, and Official Staff
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There were some exceptions. In 1945, for example, New Zealand Prime Minister Peter Fraser nominated Freyberg. Since the term of Sir Arthur Porritt (1967-72), however, all New Zealand's Governors-General have been New Zealand-born or at least New Zealand citizens, appointed by Cabinet.
It was 'a job for the boys' in another sense as well: until Dame Catherine Tizard (1990-96), the Governors-General had been male. That meant that, like it or not, their wives found themselves married to a very public job.
Lady Newall
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Hear Lady Newall speaking in 1946 (transcribed)
The duties of these women varied. They acted as patrons of community societies and they visited schools, hospitals and women's groups. Ladies Liverpool, Galway and Newall headed wartime patriotic societies. In 1926 Lady Alice Fergusson founded the League of Mothers.
Lady Fergusson
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They did not have to worry about the housework. Lady Barbara Freyberg saw the cook each morning, arranged menus and allocated the guestrooms but the Military Secretary supervised the rest of the domestic work.