Governor-General in waiting knighted by Queen

Lieutenant General Sir Jerry Mateparae and Prime Minister John Key. Photo / File

New Zealand's next Governor-General Lieutenant General Sir Jerry Mateparae, has been knighted by Queen Elizabeth II.

The ceremony at Buckingham Palace in London this morning New Zealand time was watched by Sir Jerry's wife and children.

Following the Queen's approval of him as an Additional Knight Grand Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit and as an Additional Companion of the Queen's Service Order, his formal title is Lieutenant General Sir Jerry Mateparae.

When Sir Jerry is sworn in as governor-general on August 31 he will also become Chancellor and Principal Knight Grand Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit, and Principal Companion of the Queen's Service Order.

He will succeed the current Governor-General Sir Anand Satyanand as the Queen's representative in New Zealand.

- NZPA