Governor General at Paengaroa School

New Zealand's Governor General Lt Gen The Rt Hon Sir Jerry Mateparae received an official maori welcome to Paengaroa School this morning, before joining staff and students in the school hall.

They school kapa haka group performed for Sir Jerry and local Maori elders and principal Bruce Lendrem welcomed him to the rural community.

Sir Jerry spoke to the children about his role as governor general and answered questions before they sung him the national anthem.

Following morning tea with staff, Sir Jerry will visit a nearby kiwifruit orchard,

He will then head to Mount Maunganui for a briefing and discussion at Zespri international headquarters before visiting an Apata packhouse and avocado orchard in Omokoroa.

Sir Jerry arrived in the Western Bay on Tuesday and leaves tomorrow morning.