More than 100 people turned out to a full military farewell for the 18th Governor General at parliament.
Dame Silvia Cartwright's departure ends her five-year term as Governor General. She took the oath of office in April 2001 after a career as a lawyer and jurist, and as an advocate for women and women's rights.
At the state luncheon both Cartwright and her husband Peter Cartwright were awarded the Queen's Service Order, in recognition of their service to New Zealand.
Cartwright is leaving her role as Governor General to take up a position as a judge on the Cambodia War Crimes Tribunal.
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The honourable Anand Satya-Nand will be sworn in as the country's 19th Governor General later this month.
