KEY POINTS:
Sir Paul Reeves relaxes with a spot of gardening at his Parnell home, a world away from the troubled countries in which he has spent much of his time during the past decade.
Sir Paul, who retired as Archbishop of the Anglican Church in 1985 to become the first Maori Governor-General, today became an Additional Member of the Order of New Zealand.
The honour - the latest in a long list of official accolades - was a "pleasant surprise".
"I felt that it was some recognition of the people I had been working with in all sorts of ways over many years."
Despite the weight of Sir Paul's recent work strengthening democracy in Third World countries, he spoke of it with a lightness and passion.
A four-year stint as the Commonwealth Secretary-General's special envoy to Guyana involved "getting the Parliament to work, standing orders, that stuff".
He has travelled to the South American country, home to 750,000 people, 14 times during the past four years with a highlight being the country's election held last August.
"I'm glad to say no one was killed, which is unusual because violence accompanies their elections," said Sir Paul.
"I am passionate for peace and constitutional government and hope my work in Guyana is going to bear fruit over the years."
Other international posts have included chairman of the Nelson Mandela Trust, deputy leader of the Commonwealth Observer Group to the 1996 Ghanaian elections and chairman of the Fiji Constitution Review Commission between 1995 and 1997.
Sir Paul cites his chancellor role with Auckland University of Technology - a "sturdy newcomer" to tertiary education - and negotiating a historic Maori claim among his current passions.
Sir Paul, who is of Te Ati Awa decent, was one of a group mandated to negotiate the settlement of the Port Nicholson Block Waitangi Tribunal claim.
The project, which continues, was something of a role reversal.
"At one stage, as Governor-General, I represented the Crown and now I negotiate with the Crown," said Sir Paul.
"I think it's a democratic right to negotiate with the Crown; the Crown is important.
"I'm just on the other side at this moment."
