Patsy Reddy facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Dame Patsy Reddy
GNZM CVO QSO DStJ
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Official portrait, 2017
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| 21st Governor-General of New Zealand | |
| In office 28 September 2016 – 28 September 2021 |
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| Monarch | Elizabeth II |
| Prime Minister | John Key Bill English Jacinda Ardern |
| Preceded by | Sir Jerry Mateparae |
| Succeeded by | Dame Cindy Kiro |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Patricia Lee Reddy
17 May 1954 Matamata, New Zealand |
| Spouses |
Geoff Harley
(div. 1988)Sir David Gascoigne
(m. 2016) |
| Alma mater | Victoria University of Wellington |
| Profession | Lawyer |
Dame Patricia Lee Reddy is a New Zealand lawyer and businesswoman. She was the 21st governor-general of New Zealand from 2016 to 2021.
Before this important role, Dame Patsy was a top lawyer. She also led a review of New Zealand's spy agencies. She was in charge of the New Zealand Film Commission and helped settle agreements related to the Treaty of Waitangi. The Prime Minister at the time, John Key, suggested to Queen Elizabeth II that Dame Patsy become the Queen's representative. She officially started her five-year term on September 28, 2016.
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Early Life and Education
Dame Patsy Reddy was born in Matamata, New Zealand, on May 17, 1954. Her parents, Neil and Catherine Reddy, were both schoolteachers.
She grew up in small towns in the Waikato region, like Te Ākau and Minginui. When she was six, her family moved to Hamilton. There, she went to Hillcrest Primary School, Peachgrove Intermediate School, and Hamilton Girls' High School.
Dame Patsy went to Victoria University of Wellington. She earned a Bachelor of Laws degree in 1976. Later, in 1979, she completed a Master of Laws degree with top honours.
Dame Patsy's Career Journey
After university, Dame Patsy worked as a lecturer at Victoria University's law faculty. In 1982, she joined a law firm in Wellington. By 1983, she became the first female partner at the firm. She focused on tax, company, and film law.
She then worked for 11 years at Brierley Investments. There, she helped with big deals, like when Air New Zealand became a private company.
Dame Patsy also held many important leadership roles. She was the chair of the New Zealand Film Commission. She also chaired Education Payroll Ltd. She was a director for Payments NZ Ltd and Active Equity Holdings Ltd.
She helped the government negotiate Treaty of Waitangi settlements. She also reviewed how well government services were performing. She was the deputy chair of the New Zealand Transport Agency. Other companies she directed included Telecom, SKYCITY Entertainment Group, New Zealand Post, and Air New Zealand.
In 2016, Dame Patsy worked with Sir Michael Cullen on a report. This report looked at the laws for New Zealand's intelligence agencies. Their report suggested that the Government Communications Security Bureau could monitor New Zealanders' communications more. This idea caused some discussion.
Dame Patsy also supported many non-government groups. She was especially involved in arts and gender equality. In 2009, she helped start Global Women New Zealand. This group of important women works to promote diversity in leadership.
In December 2022, she was chosen to lead New Zealand Rugby. In December 2024, she joined the board of the Malaghan Institute of Medical Research. On December 9, 2024, Dame Patsy became the chair of the Climate Change Commission.
Serving as Governor-General
In March 2016, it was announced that Queen Elizabeth II had approved Dame Patsy's appointment. She would be the next governor-general of New Zealand for five years. This decision was made on the advice of then Prime Minister John Key.
She was officially sworn in as the 21st governor-general on September 28, 2016. Chief Justice Dame Sian Elias performed the ceremony. The event included a Māori pōwhiri, a 21-gun salute, and music. Many people attended, including film-makers Sir Peter Jackson and James Cameron. Dame Patsy became the third woman to hold this important position.
On October 18, 2016, Dame Patsy gave her first Royal assent. This is when the Governor-General signs a bill to make it a law.
In November 2016, she welcomed King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima of the Netherlands to New Zealand. She hosted a special dinner for them.
After John Key resigned, Dame Patsy swore in Bill English as Prime Minister. She also swore in Paula Bennett as Deputy Prime Minister on December 12, 2016.
On February 7, 2017, Dame Patsy gave her first annual Waitangi Day speech. This took place at Government House, Wellington.
Her first trip overseas as Governor-General was to Niue and the Cook Islands. These are countries that have a special link with New Zealand. She visited them in March 2017.
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In October 2017, Dame Patsy visited Israel. She represented New Zealand at a ceremony marking 100 years since the Battle of Beersheba in the First World War. She met with the Israeli President and Prime Minister.
On October 26, 2017, Dame Patsy oversaw the swearing-in of the new government. She signed documents appointing Jacinda Ardern as the new Prime Minister and other ministers. In November, she spoke to Members of Parliament from the throne at the State Opening of Parliament.
Dame Patsy hosted the president of Ireland, Michael D. Higgins, in October 2017. A few weeks later, she welcomed German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier to Government House.
In December 2017, Dame Patsy visited Malaysia. This trip celebrated 60 years of diplomatic ties between New Zealand and Malaysia. She met with the Sultan of Malaysia and attended a state dinner.
On January 1, 2018, Dame Patsy shared her New Year message. She talked about gender equality and respecting women. She also noted the 125th anniversary of women's suffrage in New Zealand.
Dame Patsy welcomed former US President Barack Obama to Government House in March 2018. In April, she traveled to Turkey. She represented New Zealand at events remembering the Gallipoli campaign. She also met with the Turkish President.
In October 2018, Dame Patsy welcomed Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, to Wellington. She also hosted a reception celebrating 125 years of women being able to vote. In November, she hosted the President of Chile, Sebastián Piñera. In December, she welcomed the President of the Republic of Korea, Moon Jae-in, and his wife to Auckland.
On March 15, 2019, Dame Patsy shared her sadness about the Christchurch mosque shootings. She said, "Now more than ever is the time to affirm the values that we hold dear – compassion, kindness and tolerance."
In June 2019, Dame Patsy represented New Zealand at events in the United Kingdom. These events marked 75 years since the D-Day landings. In October 2019, she made an official visit to Japan.
Dame Patsy's last overseas trip as Governor-General was to Australia in June 2021. She finished her term on September 28, 2021.
Personal Life
Dame Patsy Reddy is married to Sir David Gascoigne. He used to be the New Zealand Judicial Conduct Commissioner. They got married just one week before her appointment as governor-general was announced.
Dame Patsy was previously married to Geoff Harley. They divorced in 1988. Both her husbands worked with her at a law firm in Wellington in the 1980s.
Dame Patsy is the first vegan governor-general. This means she does not eat any animal products. Because of this, the special dinner at her swearing-in ceremony was entirely vegan.
Awards and Honours
| Viceregal styles of Dame Patsy Reddy (2016–2021) |
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| Reference style | Her Excellency the Right Honourable |
| Spoken style | Your Excellency |
In 2014, Dame Patsy was made a Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit. This was for her work in arts and business. In June 2016, she also became a Dame of the Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of Saint John of Jerusalem.
Before becoming governor-general, she received even higher honours. She was made an Additional Dame Grand Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit. She also became an Additional Companion of the Queen's Service Order in June 2016.
While in office, Dame Patsy was called "Her Excellency". For the rest of her life, she is styled "The Right Honourable".
Victoria University of Wellington gave Dame Patsy an honorary Doctor of Laws degree in December 2017.
In 2022, Dame Patsy was appointed Commander of the Royal Victorian Order. The president of Hungary also gave her the Commander's Cross of the Hungarian Order of Merit in 2022.
Coat of Arms
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See also
In Spanish: Patsy Reddy para niños
- List of female representatives of heads of state
