Cindy Kiro facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Dame Cindy Kiro
GNZM QSO DStJ
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Official portrait, 2021
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| 22nd Governor-General of New Zealand | |
| Assumed office 21 October 2021 |
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| Monarch | |
| Prime Minister | |
| Preceded by | Dame Patsy Reddy |
| Children's Commissioner of New Zealand | |
| In office 1 September 2003 – 1 September 2008 |
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| Appointed by | Steve Maharey |
| Preceded by | Roger McClay |
| Succeeded by | John Angus |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Alcyion Cynthia Simpson
1958 (age 66–67) Whangārei, New Zealand |
| Spouses |
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| Children | 2 children, 2 stepchildren |
| Residence | Government House, Wellington |
| Signature | .png){kind=small} |
| Alma mater |
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| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Public health |
| Thesis | Kimihia Hauora Māori = Māori Health Policy and Practice (2001) |
| Doctoral advisors |
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Dame Cindy Kiro is a very important person in New Zealand. She is the 22nd governor-general of New Zealand. This means she is the King's representative in New Zealand. She started this role on 21 October 2021.
Dame Cindy Kiro is special because she is the first Māori woman to be the Governor-General. She is also the third person of Māori descent to hold this high office.
Before becoming Governor-General, she worked in many important roles. She was the Chief Executive of the Royal Society Te Apārangi. She also used to be the Children's Commissioner. This role meant she looked out for the rights and wellbeing of children. She also led schools at universities.
As Governor-General, Dame Cindy Kiro has done many important things. She responded to the passing of Queen Elizabeth II. She has also traveled overseas to represent New Zealand. For example, she attended the Queen's Platinum Jubilee and funeral. She also went to the coronation of King Charles III.
Contents
Early Life and School
Dame Cindy Kiro was born in Whangārei in 1958. She was the oldest of six children. Her family has both Māori and English roots. She belongs to the Ngā Puhi, Ngāti Kahu, and Ngāti Hine iwi (tribes).
When she was young, she was partly raised by her mother's parents. She took their family name, Kiro. She grew up in South Auckland and West Auckland. She went to Rutherford High School.
After school, she studied social work at Massey University. She also earned a degree in social sciences from the University of Auckland. In 1987, she studied epidemiology in Italy. This is the study of how diseases spread.
Her Career Journey
From 1995 to 2000, Dame Cindy Kiro taught at Massey University. She earned her PhD degree in 2001. Her studies focused on Māori health policies. Later, she also earned a Master of Business Administration degree.
In 2003, she became New Zealand's Children's Commissioner. She worked in this role until 2008. During this time, she set up a special group. This group worked to stop family violence. She also supported changes to a law. This law was about using force against children.
After this, Dame Cindy Kiro went back to working at universities. She became a professor at Massey University. She also led the School of Public Health there. Later, she worked at Victoria University of Wellington. She then became Pro-Vice Chancellor (Māori) at the University of Auckland. This role meant she helped lead Māori studies and support Māori students.
In 2020, she became the chief executive of the Royal Society Te Apārangi. This group helps with science and research in New Zealand.
Becoming Governor-General
On 24 May 2021, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced something big. She said that Queen Elizabeth II had agreed to make Dame Cindy Kiro the next Governor-General. Dame Cindy Kiro officially started on 21 October 2021. She is the first Māori woman to hold this important job.
The Queen gave Dame Cindy Kiro special awards. This happened during a video call on 19 October. She was officially sworn in as Governor-General on 21 October. The ceremony was smaller than usual. This was because of rules about gatherings during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Important Duties
2021
Dame Cindy Kiro gave her first royal assent on 27 October. This means she officially approved new laws.
2022
In May 2022, Dame Cindy Kiro made her first trip overseas. She went to Abu Dhabi to represent New Zealand. In June, she and her husband, Richard Davies, visited the United Kingdom. They celebrated the Queen's Platinum Jubilee. They attended special events like a church service and a party. They also met with other leaders.
On 14 June, she swore in a new government minister. This was Kieran McAnulty. This is part of her job to help the government work.
In September, Dame Cindy Kiro and her husband visited Samoa. They celebrated Samoa's 60th year of independence from New Zealand.
They also went to the United Kingdom for the Queen Elizabeth II's funeral. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern joined them.
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Dame Cindy Kiro appointing Kieran McAnulty as a government minister in June 2022.
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Dame Cindy Kiro signing a book of condolence for Queen Elizabeth II in September 2022.
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Dame Cindy Kiro and her husband, Richard Davies, outside St Paul's Cathedral in London, June 2022.
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2023
In January, Dame Cindy Kiro accepted the resignation of Prime Minister Ardern. She then officially appointed Chris Hipkins as the new prime minister. She also appointed Carmel Sepuloni as the deputy prime minister.
In May, the Governor-General traveled to London. She attended the coronation of King Charles III.
In November, she appointed Christopher Luxon and his new government.
2024
In June 2024, Dame Cindy Kiro and Prime Minister Christopher Luxon welcomed Chinese Premier Li Qiang to New Zealand.
Awards and Recognition
| Viceregal styles of Dame Cindy Kiro (2021–present) |
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| Reference style | Her Excellency the Right Honourable |
| Spoken style | Your Excellency |
In 2012, Dame Cindy Kiro received an award. It was for being a Public Health Champion. She also won a Fulbright Travel Award. In the same year, she was named Māori of the Year. This was for her work helping the community.
In 2021, she was made a Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit. This was for her work helping children and in education.
Before becoming Governor-General, she received even more special honours. She was made a Dame Grand Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit. She also became a Companion of the Queen's Service Order. As Governor-General, she is called "Her Excellency". For the rest of her life, she will be called "The Right Honourable".
On 21 October 2021, she was also made a Dame of the Order of Saint John. She also became a leader of this order as Governor-General.
In 2022, Massey University gave her an honorary Doctor of Health degree. This is a special award for her achievements.
Personal Life
Dame Cindy Kiro was married to Chris Kuchel for 30 years. They have two sons together. Later, she met her current husband, Richard Davies. He is a doctor. She is also a stepmother to his two sons.
See also
In Spanish: Cindy Kiro para niños
- List of female representatives of heads of state
