Cultural mix welcomes new Governor-General

Governor General Anand Satyanand receives a tilak (sandalwood paste mark) on his forehead during an Indian welcome at Parliament. Picture / Mark Mitchell

Indian, Pacific, Maori and European cultures combined as Anand Satyanand was sworn in as New Zealand's first Governor-General of Asian descent yesterday.

Amid a fanfare of trumpets and pageantry, complete with a 21-gun salute, Mr Satyanand, 62, was sworn in on the steps of Parliament as the 19th Governor-General.

He and his wife Susan were welcomed on to Parliament's forecourt with an Indian blessing, acknowledging his Indo-Fijian parentage.

A Maori cloak was placed around his shoulders at the end of a ceremony which took place in front of 470 invited guests.

Among the guests were Prime Minister Helen Clark, Chief Justice Sian Elias, members of Parliament, and dignitaries from the judiciary, the diplomatic corps and the defence forces.

Another 300 people gathered on the lawn of Parliament to watch the proceedings, conducted under clear blue skies and a cool breeze.

After taking the oath of office in English and Maori, Mr Satyanand called the role an "extraordinary privilege" and said he was committed to doing the best for New Zealand.

Mr Satyanand, born and educated in Auckland, acknowledged his heritage, referring to his Indian grandparents who moved to Fiji, and his parents who moved from there to New Zealand.

"New Zealand's culture and identity is now a blend of Maori, European, Pacific Island and Asian influences," he said.

Mr Satyanand said he wanted to see the country's strengths and positive aspects discussed, affirmed and celebrated.

"Let us with optimism affirm our future. And let us strengthen, foster and encourage trust among the various communities that make up New Zealand. That will make us strong."

Mr Satyanand said his legal, judicial and ombudsman careers had enriched his understanding of New Zealand.

"I have observed that New Zealanders have in good measure a number of characteristics - a dislike of abuse of power, an inquisitiveness associated with small societies, no significant hierarchies and a liking for individual expression."

He was prepared for differing reactions towards him during his term because of his ethnicity.

"I imagine during that time there will be some who will say 'there is one of us being one of them' while for others it will be a case of saying 'there is one of them being one of us'."

Helen Clark said New Zealand was fortunate that people with "such distinction and integrity were prepared to accept the role and carry out its duties and responsibilities".

While the country looked to the Governor-General to be a unifying figure playing a role in important national events, it had changed and so had the expression of the office, she said.

"In the 21st century we expect the Governor-General to relate to and be connected to the diversity of contemporary New Zealand."

She said Mr Satyanand's "multifaceted" career and his own special qualities equipped him to carry out his new role with care and thoughtfulness.

Mr Satyanand was at "ease across our communities".

"Our new Governor-General is also a good listener and communicator and is known for his ability to bring people together. This is all accompanied by a wonderful sense of humour."

The swearing-in ceremony concluded with a presentation in Parliament and a reception.

From there, the Governor-General and his wife went to perform their first official duty, a wreath-laying ceremony at the National War Memorial yesterday afternoon.


Auckland-born man of the law

Mr Satyanand was born in Auckland of Indo-Fijian parentage on July 22, 1944, and raised in New Zealand.

His grandparents migrated from India to Fiji at the turn of the previous century and his parents took up residence in New Zealand at the completion of their education.

Mr Satyanand studied law at Auckland University and was admitted to the bar in 1970.

He spent 12 years practising law, including work in the Crown Solicitor's Office and then as a partner in Shieff Angland.

He was appointed a district court judge in 1982 at the age of 37 and specialised in criminal law as a trial judge for 10 years.

In 1995 he became an ombudsman, completing two five-year terms in 2005.

Mr Satyanand has been an Asian New Zealand Foundation board member since 2000.

In 2004, he accompanied Prime Minister Helen Clark to India as part of delegation on the first prime ministerial trip to that country in 20 years.

He married his wife Susan in 1970 and they have three adult children.

- NZPA