JerryAMateparae

Jerry Andrews Mateparae was New Zealand's Governor General from the 12th of December 2020 until the 12th of October 2021, making him the longest serving Governor General in New Zealand history with 305 days in office. Not only does he hold the record of longest serving Governor General, but also of having outlived the most monarchs and Prime Ministers as a Governor General. During his time in office, Mateparae had seen 6 monarchs ruling over the Commonwealth of Nations and 7 Prime Ministers leading a New Zealand government.

Mateparae is currently still a part of Albert New Zealand's Development Team and is given credit for Wellington and the Government House.

Military Career
Mateparae was the first ever Kiwi to join the New Zealand Defence Force. Because of this, he was directly appointed to take up the position of Chief of Navy under Archiebowhay, the first Chief of Defence Force.

Mateparae set up the No.6 Squadron of the Royal New Zealand Air Force as the Naval Aviation and launched the Multi-role vessel HMNZS Canterbury and the frigate HMNZS King William I.

On 28th August 2020, Mateparae took up the role of Vice Chief of Defence Force and in September of the same year, following the sudden resignation of Archiebowhay, he was promoted to the rank of Vice Admiral and Chief of Defence Force. While Chief of Defence Force, he opened the Royal New Zealand Air Force as he inaugurated the new training camp of the New Zealand Defence Force: Burnham, Christchurch.

He resigned from the Defence Force on November 27, 2020.

On 10th October 2021, two days prior the end of his term as Governor-General and Commander-in-Chief, he was appointed to the honorary rank of Admiral of the Fleet by His Majesty King Edward IX, for services to New Zealand.

Governor-General of New Zealand
On 8th December 2020, Prime Minister Windsor announced that he had forwarded his nomination of Jerry Mateparae to Governor-General to His Majesty, King William I, who made the appointment the same day. Mateparae was sworn-in for a 5 months term on 12th December by Chief Justice Yughk.

During his first term he hosted banquets at Government House to commemorate events such as Waitangi Day and the king William Diamond Jubilee, as well as visits from the Royals of New Zealand and at the end of his term he hosted the Anzac Day event in Gallipoli, Turkey, which was attended by a Bishop of the Anglican Church, the Chief of Defence Force, the Prime Minister and His Royal Highness, Prince Jonathan.

During his first term as Governor-General, Mateparae preferred to use Government House, Auckland for official functions, until the renovations at Government House, Wellington finished.

Mateparae was appointed to serve for a second term by Prime Minister Firewolf on 2nd May 2020. On 8th August 2021 he was appointed a Knight Grand Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit and as a Companion of the King's Service Order. He became Chancellor and Principal Knight Grand Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit and Principal Companion of the King's Service Order upon taking office as Governor-General, making him "His Excellency Vice Admiral The Right Honourable Sir Jerry Mateparae GNZM KSO DSD".

On 1st October 2021, Mateparae summoned the House of Representatives in the Legislative Council Chamber to give a Speech from the Throne to announce that he hadn't accepted a third term and that he would've step down on 12th October of the same year. Mateparae hosted his last investiture on 3rd October, in which he knighted the Rt Hon Firewolf upon his resignation from Prime Minister. In his two terms he knighted just two people: Sir Firewolf KNZM, former Prime Minister and Sir Sonofspacebaldy GNZM, former Governor-General. He had also awarded Alexander Windsor with an ONZ for his service to New Zealand.

Honours and Awards
In the first Gazette of New Zealand, Mateparae was awarded a MNZM and a NZAFA, later on he was awarded also a NZLSGCM (Navy) and a DSD. On 8th May 2020 he was appointed a Knight Grand Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit and Companion of the King's Service Order for his services during his first term as Governor-General of New Zealand.

As Governor-General he is entitled to be styled as "His Excellency" while in office, and "Right Honourable" for life. As former Chief of Defence Force, he held the rank of Vice Admiral until his appointment on 10th October 2021 to Admiral of the Fleet by His Majesty King Edward IX for services as Commander-in-Chief.