<Tr> <Td> <Ul> <Li> </Li> <Li> </Li> <Li> </Li> </Ul> </Td> </Tr> <Ul> <Li> </Li> <Li> </Li> <Li> </Li> </Ul> <P> The Governor - General of New Zealand (Māori: Te Kāwana Tianara o Aotearoa) is the viceregal representative of the monarch of New Zealand, currently Queen Elizabeth II . Because the Queen is shared equally with the 15 other Commonwealth realms, and normally resides in the United Kingdom, she, on the advice of her prime minister, appoints a governor - general to carry out most of her constitutional and ceremonial duties within the Realm of New Zealand . Once in office, the governor - general maintains direct contact with the Queen, wherever she may be at the time . </P> <P> The current office traces its origins to when administration of New Zealand was placed under the Colony of New South Wales in 1839 and its governor was given jurisdiction over New Zealand . However, New Zealand would become its own colony the next year with its own governor . The modern "governor - general" and his or her functions came into being in 1917 and the office is currently mandated by letters patent issued in 1983, constituting "the Governor - General and Commander - in - Chief of the Realm of New Zealand". Constitutional functions of the governor - general include presiding over the Executive Council, appointing ministers and judges, dissolving parliament, granting Royal Assent to legislation, issuing writs for elections and bestowing honours . These functions are generally exercised only according to the advice of an elected government . The governor - general also has an important ceremonial role: hosting events at Government House in Wellington, and travelling throughout New Zealand to open conferences, attend services and commemorations and generally provide encouragement to individuals and groups who are contributing to their communities . When travelling abroad, the governor - general is seen as the representative of New Zealand; for this reason, the governor - general is viewed by some as the de facto head of state . </P>

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