Jerry Mateparae
Encyclopedia
Lieutenant General
Sir Jeremiah "Jerry" Mateparae, GNZM
, QSO
(born 14 November 1954) is New Zealand
's 20th Governor-General
. He was Chief of the New Zealand Defence Force
between 2006 and 2011, the first Māori person to hold the office, and the Director of the New Zealand
Government Communications Security Bureau
from 7 February 2011 until 1 July 2011. His appointment as Governor-General was announced on 8 March 2011 and he took office on 31 August 2011.
. He was given to his mother's brother, a Mateparae, to raise in the Māori customary adoption known as whāngai. His birth father and his adoptive father were both ministers in the Ratana Church
. He is descended from the Ngāti Tūwharetoa
and Ngāti Kahungunu
tribes and also has links to Tūhoe and tribes in the upper Whanganui
. He was raised in the Whanganui suburb of Castlecliff and attended Castlecliff Primary School, Rutherford Intermediate School and Wanganui High School. He has three children with his first wife Raewynne, who died in 1990, and two children with his second wife Janine.
in the Regular Force of the New Zealand Army
in June 1972. In December 1976, he graduated from the Officer Cadet School Portsea
in Australia. He served in both battalions of the Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment
and in the New Zealand Special Air Service. He was a platoon commander in Singapore in 1979.
He had two operational postings to peace support missions, one 12-month tour of duty with the United Nations Truce Supervisory Organisation (UNTSO) as the Chief Observer in Southern Lebanon
from May 1994 to May 1995, and commanding the combined-force Truce Monitoring Group on Bougainville
during Operation Belisi in 1998. On 24 December 1999, he was promoted to brigadier
, in the post of Land Component Commander, Joint Forces New Zealand. From December 1999 to July 2001, he was the Joint Commander for New Zealand forces attached to the United Nations Transitional Administration in East Timor
.
In February 2002, Mateparae was promoted to major-general and became the Chief of General Staff
. The title was changed in mid-2002 to Chief of Army. On 1 May 2006 he was promoted to lieutenant-general and took up appointment as the Chief of Defence Force
, New Zealand's senior uniformed military appointment, which he held until 24 January 2011.
On 26 August 2010, Prime Minister John Key announced the appointment of Mateparae as Director of the Government Communications Security Bureau
(GCSB). Mateparae was appointed for a five-year term commencing on 7 February 2011 but stepped down from the role on 1 July 2011.
John Key
announced the recommendation of Mateparae as the next Governor-General of New Zealand
. The Queen of New Zealand made the appointment later that day. On 31 August 2011 he was sworn in as the Governor-General for a five-year term.
On 20 May 2011, Mateparae was appointed an Additional Knight Grand Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit
and as an Additional Companion of the Queen's Service Order
. He became Chancellor and Principal Knight Grand Commander of that order and Principal Companion of the Queen's Service Order
upon taking office as Governor-General, making him "His Excellency Lieutenant General The Right Honourable Sir Jeremiah Mateparae GNZM QSO".
with First Class Honours degree in International Relations
and Strategic Studies
from the University of Waikato
, and received a Distinguished Alumni Award from Waikato in 2008. He is a Fellow of the New Zealand Institute of Management.
He was made an Additional Officer
of the New Zealand Order of Merit
in the January 1999 New Year’s Honours, for his service in Bougainville. In May 2011 the Singapore government awarded him the Darjah Utama Bakti Cemerlang (Tentera)
– Distinguished Service Order (Military). In June 2011 he was awarded Knight of Justice of the Order of St John in regards to him become Prior of the Order of St John in New Zealand.
Medals and ribbons
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Lieutenant General
Lieutenant General is a military rank used in many countries. The rank traces its origins to the Middle Ages where the title of Lieutenant General was held by the second in command on the battlefield, who was normally subordinate to a Captain General....
Sir Jeremiah "Jerry" Mateparae, GNZM
New Zealand Order of Merit
The New Zealand Order of Merit is an order established in 1996 "for those persons who in any field of endeavour, have rendered meritorious service to the Crown and nation or who have become distinguished by their eminence, talents, contributions or other merits."The order includes five...
, QSO
Queen's Service Order
The Queen's Service Order was established by Queen Elizabeth II on 13 March 1975, awarded by the government of New Zealand "for valuable voluntary service to the community or meritorious and faithful services to the Crown or similar services within the public sector, whether in elected or...
(born 14 November 1954) is New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
's 20th Governor-General
Governor-General of New Zealand
The Governor-General of New Zealand is the representative of the monarch of New Zealand . The Governor-General acts as the Queen's vice-regal representative in New Zealand and is often viewed as the de facto head of state....
. He was Chief of the New Zealand Defence Force
New Zealand Defence Force
The New Zealand Defence Force consists of three services: the Royal New Zealand Navy; the New Zealand Army; and the Royal New Zealand Air Force. The Commander-in-Chief of the NZDF is His Excellency Rt. Hon...
between 2006 and 2011, the first Māori person to hold the office, and the Director of the New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
Government Communications Security Bureau
Government Communications Security Bureau
The Government Communications Security Bureau is an intelligence agency of the New Zealand government.The mission statement is given as:To contribute to the national security of New Zealand through:...
from 7 February 2011 until 1 July 2011. His appointment as Governor-General was announced on 8 March 2011 and he took office on 31 August 2011.
Personal life
Jerry Mateparae was born to the Andrews family in WanganuiWanganui
Whanganui , also spelled Wanganui, is an urban area and district on the west coast of the North Island of New Zealand. It is part of the Manawatu-Wanganui region....
. He was given to his mother's brother, a Mateparae, to raise in the Māori customary adoption known as whāngai. His birth father and his adoptive father were both ministers in the Ratana Church
Ratana
The Rātana movement is a Māori religion and pan-tribal political movement founded by Tahupōtiki Wiremu Rātana in early 20th century New Zealand...
. He is descended from the Ngāti Tūwharetoa
Ngati Tuwharetoa
Ngāti Tūwharetoa is an iwi descended from Ngātoro-i-rangi, the priest who navigated the Arawa canoe to New Zealand. The Tūwharetoa region extends from Te Awa o te Atua at Matata across the central plateau of the North Island to the lands around Mount Tongariro and Lake Taupo.The iwi is identified...
and Ngāti Kahungunu
Ngati Kahungunu
Ngāti Kahungunu is a Māori iwi located along the eastern coast of the North Island of New Zealand. The iwi is traditionally centred in the Hawke’s Bay and Tararua and Wairārapa regions....
tribes and also has links to Tūhoe and tribes in the upper Whanganui
Whanganui District
Whanganui District is one of the districts of New Zealand.Wanganui District Council resulted from amalgamation of Wanganui and Waitotara county councils and Wanganui City Council....
. He was raised in the Whanganui suburb of Castlecliff and attended Castlecliff Primary School, Rutherford Intermediate School and Wanganui High School. He has three children with his first wife Raewynne, who died in 1990, and two children with his second wife Janine.
Career
Mateparae enlisted as a privatePrivate (rank)
A Private is a soldier of the lowest military rank .In modern military parlance, 'Private' is shortened to 'Pte' in the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth countries and to 'Pvt.' in the United States.Notably both Sir Fitzroy MacLean and Enoch Powell are examples of, rare, rapid career...
in the Regular Force of the New Zealand Army
New Zealand Army
The New Zealand Army , is the land component of the New Zealand Defence Force and comprises around 4,500 Regular Force personnel, 2,000 Territorial Force personnel and 500 civilians. Formerly the New Zealand Military Forces, the current name was adopted around 1946...
in June 1972. In December 1976, he graduated from the Officer Cadet School Portsea
OCS Portsea
The Officer Cadet School, Portsea was an officer training establishment of the Australian Army. Established at Portsea in Victoria, Australia, in 1951 to provide training to officer cadets prior to commissioning, for many years OCS provided the Australian Regular Army with the bulk of its junior...
in Australia. He served in both battalions of the Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment
Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment
The Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment is the main combat unit in the regular New Zealand Army. It was formed 9 January 1947 as the New Zealand Regiment with a single infantry battalion as part of the newly created infantry corps....
and in the New Zealand Special Air Service. He was a platoon commander in Singapore in 1979.
He had two operational postings to peace support missions, one 12-month tour of duty with the United Nations Truce Supervisory Organisation (UNTSO) as the Chief Observer in Southern Lebanon
Lebanon
Lebanon , officially the Republic of LebanonRepublic of Lebanon is the most common term used by Lebanese government agencies. The term Lebanese Republic, a literal translation of the official Arabic and French names that is not used in today's world. Arabic is the most common language spoken among...
from May 1994 to May 1995, and commanding the combined-force Truce Monitoring Group on Bougainville
Bougainville Island
Bougainville Island is the main island of the Autonomous Region of Bougainville of Papua New Guinea. This region is also known as Bougainville Province or the North Solomons. The population of the province is 175,160 , which includes the adjacent island of Buka and assorted outlying islands...
during Operation Belisi in 1998. On 24 December 1999, he was promoted to brigadier
Brigadier
Brigadier is a senior military rank, the meaning of which is somewhat different in different military services. The brigadier rank is generally superior to the rank of colonel, and subordinate to major general....
, in the post of Land Component Commander, Joint Forces New Zealand. From December 1999 to July 2001, he was the Joint Commander for New Zealand forces attached to the United Nations Transitional Administration in East Timor
United Nations Transitional Administration in East Timor
The United Nations Transitional Administration in East Timor provided an interim civil administration and a peacekeeping mission in the territory of East Timor, from its establishment on October 25, 1999 until its independence on May 20, 2002 following the outcome of the East Timor Special...
.
In February 2002, Mateparae was promoted to major-general and became the Chief of General Staff
New Zealand Army
The New Zealand Army , is the land component of the New Zealand Defence Force and comprises around 4,500 Regular Force personnel, 2,000 Territorial Force personnel and 500 civilians. Formerly the New Zealand Military Forces, the current name was adopted around 1946...
. The title was changed in mid-2002 to Chief of Army. On 1 May 2006 he was promoted to lieutenant-general and took up appointment as the Chief of Defence Force
Chief of Defence Force (New Zealand)
The Chief of Defence Force is the appointment held by the professional head of the New Zealand Defence Force. The post has existed under its present name since 1991. From 1963 to 1991 the head of the New Zealand Defence Force was known as the Chief of Defence Staff...
, New Zealand's senior uniformed military appointment, which he held until 24 January 2011.
On 26 August 2010, Prime Minister John Key announced the appointment of Mateparae as Director of the Government Communications Security Bureau
Government Communications Security Bureau
The Government Communications Security Bureau is an intelligence agency of the New Zealand government.The mission statement is given as:To contribute to the national security of New Zealand through:...
(GCSB). Mateparae was appointed for a five-year term commencing on 7 February 2011 but stepped down from the role on 1 July 2011.
Governor-General of New Zealand
On 8 March 2011, Prime MinisterPrime Minister of New Zealand
The Prime Minister of New Zealand is New Zealand's head of government consequent on being the leader of the party or coalition with majority support in the Parliament of New Zealand...
John Key
John Key
John Phillip Key is the 38th Prime Minister of New Zealand, in office since 2008. He has led the New Zealand National Party since 2006....
announced the recommendation of Mateparae as the next Governor-General of New Zealand
Governor-General of New Zealand
The Governor-General of New Zealand is the representative of the monarch of New Zealand . The Governor-General acts as the Queen's vice-regal representative in New Zealand and is often viewed as the de facto head of state....
. The Queen of New Zealand made the appointment later that day. On 31 August 2011 he was sworn in as the Governor-General for a five-year term.
On 20 May 2011, Mateparae was appointed an Additional Knight Grand Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit
New Zealand Order of Merit
The New Zealand Order of Merit is an order established in 1996 "for those persons who in any field of endeavour, have rendered meritorious service to the Crown and nation or who have become distinguished by their eminence, talents, contributions or other merits."The order includes five...
and as an Additional Companion of the Queen's Service Order
Queen's Service Order
The Queen's Service Order was established by Queen Elizabeth II on 13 March 1975, awarded by the government of New Zealand "for valuable voluntary service to the community or meritorious and faithful services to the Crown or similar services within the public sector, whether in elected or...
. He became Chancellor and Principal Knight Grand Commander of that order and Principal Companion of the Queen's Service Order
Queen's Service Order
The Queen's Service Order was established by Queen Elizabeth II on 13 March 1975, awarded by the government of New Zealand "for valuable voluntary service to the community or meritorious and faithful services to the Crown or similar services within the public sector, whether in elected or...
upon taking office as Governor-General, making him "His Excellency Lieutenant General The Right Honourable Sir Jeremiah Mateparae GNZM QSO".
Medals and awards
Mateparae has a Master of ArtsMaster of Arts (postgraduate)
A Master of Arts from the Latin Magister Artium, is a type of Master's degree awarded by universities in many countries. The M.A. is usually contrasted with the M.S. or M.Sc. degrees...
with First Class Honours degree in International Relations
International relations
International relations is the study of relationships between countries, including the roles of states, inter-governmental organizations , international nongovernmental organizations , non-governmental organizations and multinational corporations...
and Strategic Studies
Strategic studies
Strategic studies is an interdisciplinary academic field devoted to topics concerning the relationship between politics, geography and natural resources, economics, and military power, such as the role of intelligence, diplomacy and threats in the preparation and use of force...
from the University of Waikato
University of Waikato
The University of Waikato is located in Hamilton and Tauranga, New Zealand, and was established in 1964. It has strengths across a broad range of subject areas, particularly its degrees in Computer Science and in Management...
, and received a Distinguished Alumni Award from Waikato in 2008. He is a Fellow of the New Zealand Institute of Management.
He was made an Additional Officer
New Zealand Order of Merit
The New Zealand Order of Merit is an order established in 1996 "for those persons who in any field of endeavour, have rendered meritorious service to the Crown and nation or who have become distinguished by their eminence, talents, contributions or other merits."The order includes five...
of the New Zealand Order of Merit
New Zealand Order of Merit
The New Zealand Order of Merit is an order established in 1996 "for those persons who in any field of endeavour, have rendered meritorious service to the Crown and nation or who have become distinguished by their eminence, talents, contributions or other merits."The order includes five...
in the January 1999 New Year’s Honours, for his service in Bougainville. In May 2011 the Singapore government awarded him the Darjah Utama Bakti Cemerlang (Tentera)
Darjah Utama Bakti Cemerlang (Tentera)
The Darjah Utama Bakti Cemerlang is awarded to members of the Singapore Armed Forces for exceptionally distinguished service or merit in senior command or staff positions....
– Distinguished Service Order (Military). In June 2011 he was awarded Knight of Justice of the Order of St John in regards to him become Prior of the Order of St John in New Zealand.
Medals and ribbons
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New Zealand Order of Merit New Zealand Order of Merit The New Zealand Order of Merit is an order established in 1996 "for those persons who in any field of endeavour, have rendered meritorious service to the Crown and nation or who have become distinguished by their eminence, talents, contributions or other merits."The order includes five... |
| Queen's Service Order Queen's Service Order The Queen's Service Order was established by Queen Elizabeth II on 13 March 1975, awarded by the government of New Zealand "for valuable voluntary service to the community or meritorious and faithful services to the Crown or similar services within the public sector, whether in elected or... |
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Order of St John Venerable Order of Saint John The Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of Saint John of Jerusalem , is a royal order of chivalry established in 1831 and found today throughout the Commonwealth of Nations, Hong Kong, Ireland and the United States of America, with the world-wide mission "to prevent and relieve sickness and... |
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New Zealand Operational Service Medal New Zealand Operational Service Medal The New Zealand Operational Service Medal is a New Zealand campaign medal for award to New Zealanders who have served on operations since 3 September 1945. The medal was instituted in 2002 to provide specific New Zealand recognition for operational service. It is awarded in addition to any New... |
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UNIFIL Medal |
| New Zealand General Service Medal 1992 (Non-Warlike) New Zealand General Service Medal 1992 (Non-Warlike) The New Zealand General Service Medal 1992 is a New Zealand campaign medal, authorised in 1992, for award to New Zealanders who have served in peacekeeping operations for which no separate UN medal was issued.... |
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| East Timor Medal East Timor Medal The East Timor Medal is a New Zealand campaign medal, authorised in 2000, for award to New Zealanders who have served in East Timor from the commencement of the New Zealand involvement in June 1999 until 27 April 2006... |
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New Zealand Armed Forces Award New Zealand Meritorious & Long Service Awards Prior to 1985 the New Zealand armed forces received the same Meritorious and Long Service Awards awarded in the United Kingdom. Since the end of World War 2 there have been constant moves towards an independent New Zealand honours system... with clasp |
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US Navy and Marine Corps Presidential Unit Citation |
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Darjah Utama Bakti Cemerlang (Tentera) Darjah Utama Bakti Cemerlang (Tentera) The Darjah Utama Bakti Cemerlang is awarded to members of the Singapore Armed Forces for exceptionally distinguished service or merit in senior command or staff positions.... |
Dates of rank
| Rank | Date | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Private | 1972 | |
| Second Lieutenant | 1976 | |
| Major | 1985 | B Company Commander, 1 RNZIR |
| Colonel | before May 1998 | |
| Brigadier | 24 December 1999 | Land Component Commander |
| Major General | February 2002 | Chief of Army |
| Lieutenant General | 1 May 2006 | Chief of Defence Force |
External links
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