4:30 PM
Dame Silvia Cartwright has been named New Zealand's next Governor General after the Queen approved her appointment.
Dame Silvia, a high court judge, will take over from Sir Michael Hardie Boys in April next year.
At her first press conference as Governor General Designate in Auckland this afternoon, Dame Silvia said she was deeply honoured by the appointment and was looking forward to the challenges and responsibilities of her new role.
Her appointment as New Zealand's 31st Governor General means women now occupy the most powerful positions in the land.
She heads a list comprising the Chief Justice, the Prime Minister and the leader of the opposition.
Prime Minister Helen Clark welcomed the announcement, saying New Zealand was extremely fortunate to have a person of Dame Silvia's calibre and background who was willing to assume the position of Governor General.
"Dame Silvia Cartwright has made an impressive contribution to New Zealand at home and abroad as a lawyer and jurist, and as an advocate for women and women's rights," Ms Clark said.
Dame Silvia gained national prominence when she headed the inquiry into cancer treatment of women at National Women's Hospital 11 years ago.
She was the Chief District Court Judge for four years until 1993 before becoming the first woman appointed to the bench of the High Court.
Since 1993 Dame Cartwright has been a member of the United Nations committee monitoring compliance with the United Nations Convention to Eliminate All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW).
Sir Michael Hardie Boys will compete his term in March 2001 and Dame Silvia will be sworn in as Governor-General in April.
- HERALD ONLINE STAFF and AGENCIES
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