Governors-general have been appointed under
letters patent issued in 1917 and
the current letters patent issued in 1983. Historically, governors and governors-general were generally British
aristocrats, a reflection of
colonial-era affiliations. From the 1970s onward, however, a significant shift occurred, aligning with a more inclusive approach that mirrored New Zealand's diverse population. All governors-general since 1972 have been New Zealand residents. Sir
Paul Reeves, in office from 1985 to 1990, was the first
Māori governor-general. Dame
Catherine Tizard, who served from 1990 to 1996, was the first female governor-general. Sir
Anand Satyanand, who held the position from 2006 to 2011, was the first governor-general of
Indian and of
Pasifika ancestry. Governors-general have had a range of backgrounds, encompassing judges, a mayor, archbishop, surgeon, diplomat, general, farmer, and prime minister. ==List of officeholders==