Patsy Reddy

Patsy Reddy. Dame Patsy Reddy served as the Governor-General of New Zealand from 2016 to 2021, representing Queen Elizabeth II as the realm of New Zealand's viceregal representative. A distinguished lawyer and corporate director prior to her appointment, her tenure was marked by a focus on Māori reconciliation, science, and the arts. She was succeeded by Dame Cindy Kiro and remains active in public life and governance.

Early life and education

Patricia Lee Reddy was born in Matamata, a town in the Waikato region. She attended Matamata College before pursuing higher education at Victoria University of Wellington, where she earned a Bachelor of Laws and a Bachelor of Commerce and Administration. Reddy furthered her legal studies internationally, completing a Master of Laws at the University of Toronto in Canada. Her academic foundation in law and commerce set the stage for her subsequent career in both the legal profession and the corporate sector in New Zealand.

Legal and business career

Reddy began her career as a lawyer at the Wellington firm Chapman Tripp, specializing in commercial law, taxation, and film financing. She played a significant role in developing the legal and financial structures for New Zealand's film industry, contributing to major productions like The Lord of the Rings trilogy. Transitioning to executive roles, she served as a director on the boards of numerous prominent organizations, including Telecom New Zealand (now Spark New Zealand), Air New Zealand, and New Zealand Post. Her governance expertise also extended to chairing the New Zealand Film Commission and serving on the Crown Law Office advisory board.

Governor-General of New Zealand

Appointed by Queen Elizabeth II on the advice of Prime Minister John Key, Reddy was sworn in as Governor-General at a ceremony in the Parliament's Legislative Council Chamber in September 2016. Her tenure coincided with the governments of Bill English and Jacinda Ardern. Key events during her viceregal term included the Christchurch mosque shootings in 2019, where she attended national remembrance services, and the country's response to the COVID-19 pandemic in New Zealand. She emphasized themes of inclusion, science innovation, and the Treaty of Waitangi partnership, undertaking extensive travel throughout the regions of New Zealand and to Pacific nations. Her official duties included granting Royal Assent to legislation, hosting investiture ceremonies for honours like the New Zealand Order of Merit, and receiving dignitaries such as Prince Charles.

Post-viceregal activities and honours

Since concluding her term, Reddy has returned to roles in corporate governance and public service. She was appointed Chair of the New Zealand Rugby board and serves as a director for Fletcher Building. In recognition of her service, she was made a Dame Grand Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2016. She also holds honorary doctorates from Victoria University of Wellington and the University of Waikato. Reddy is married to Sir David Gascoigne, a prominent businessman, and they reside in Wellington.

Category:Governors-General of New Zealand Category:New Zealand lawyers Category:New Zealand businesspeople Category:1954 births Category:Living people