Cindy Kiro facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Dame Cindy Kiro
GNZM QSO DStJ
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Official portrait, 2023
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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 leader 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 the first Māori woman to hold this high office. She is also the third person of Māori background to be the Governor-General.
Before becoming Governor-General, Dame Cindy worked in many important roles. She was the head of the Royal Society Te Apārangi. She also served as the Children's Commissioner. This role meant she looked out for the rights and well-being of children. She also led schools at universities, focusing on public health and Māori studies.
During her time as Governor-General, Dame Cindy has represented New Zealand at major events. These include the state funeral of Queen Elizabeth II and the coronation of King Charles III in the United Kingdom.
Contents
Early Life and Education
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 (Māori tribes).
She was partly raised by her mother's parents and took their family name, Kiro. She grew up in South Auckland and West Auckland. She went to Rutherford High School.
After high 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 (the study of how diseases spread) in Italy.
Career Highlights
From 1995 to 2000, Dame Cindy was a senior lecturer at Massey University. In 2001, she earned her PhD degree. Her research focused on Māori health policy and practices. She also earned a Master of Business Administration degree.
Children's Commissioner
In 2003, Dame Cindy was chosen to be New Zealand's Children's Commissioner. She held this role until 2008. In this job, she worked to protect children and make sure they were safe.
She created a special group called the Taskforce for Action on Family Violence. This group included leaders from government, police, and Māori and Pacific Island communities. During her time, a law was changed to stop parents from using physical force against children. Dame Cindy strongly supported this change.
Return to Academia
After her time as Children's Commissioner, Dame Cindy went back to working at universities. She became a professor at Massey University, leading its School of Public Health. Later, she led Te Kura Māori at Victoria University of Wellington. She also became the Pro-Vice Chancellor (Māori) at the University of Auckland. This role meant she helped lead the university's work with Māori communities.
In 2020, she became the chief executive of the Royal Society Te Apārangi. This society supports science and knowledge in New Zealand.
Becoming Governor-General
On 24 May 2021, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced that Queen Elizabeth II had agreed to appoint Dame Cindy Kiro as the next Governor-General. Dame Cindy officially started her five-year term on 21 October 2021. She is the first Māori woman to hold this important position.
Before she was sworn in, Queen Elizabeth II gave her special honours in a video call. Dame Cindy was officially sworn in as Governor-General by the chief justice on 21 October. The ceremony was smaller than usual because of rules about gatherings during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Important Duties
2021
Dame Cindy gave her first royal assent on 27 October 2021. This means she officially approved new laws, making them active.
2022
In May 2022, Dame Cindy made her first trip outside New Zealand as Governor-General. She went to Abu Dhabi to represent New Zealand. In June 2022, she and her husband, Richard Davies, visited the United Kingdom. They celebrated the Platinum Jubilee of Elizabeth II, marking Queen Elizabeth II's 70 years on the throne. They attended special events like a church service and a concert.
In June, Dame Cindy also swore in a new government minister, Kieran McAnulty. In September, she visited Samoa to celebrate 60 years of Samoa's independence from New Zealand. Later that month, she and her husband traveled to the United Kingdom again. They attended the state funeral of Elizabeth II at Westminster Abbey.
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Dame Cindy appointing Kieran McAnulty as a government minister at Government House, Wellington, 14 June 2022.
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Dame Cindy signing the book of condolence for Queen Elizabeth II in London, 16 September 2022.
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Dame Cindy and her husband Richard Davies outside St Paul's Cathedral in London, June 2022.
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2023
In January 2023, Dame Cindy accepted the resignation of Prime Minister Jacinda 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 to attend the coronation of Charles III and Camilla. This was a very important event where King Charles III was officially crowned.
In November, Dame Cindy appointed Christopher Luxon and his new government ministers.
2024
In June 2024, Dame Cindy and Prime Minister Christopher Luxon welcomed Chinese Premier Li Qiang to New Zealand for a state visit.
Awards and Honours
| Viceregal styles of Dame Cindy Kiro (2021–present) |
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| Reference style | Her Excellency the Right Honourable |
| Spoken style | Your Excellency |
Dame Cindy Kiro has received many awards for her work. In 2012, she was named the Public Health Champion. She also received a US Fulbright Travel Award. That same year, she was named Māori of the Year for her community work.
In 2021, she was made a Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for her work with children and education. When she became Governor-General, she received even higher honours. She is now known as "Her Excellency" while in office and "The Right Honourable" for life. She also became a Dame of the Order of Saint John. In 2022, she received an honorary Doctor of Health degree from Massey University.
Personal Life
Dame Cindy Kiro was married to Chris Kuchel for 30 years, and they have two sons. Later, she married Richard Davies, who 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
