Governor General sworn in 

The investiture of the new Governor General, judge Anand Satyanand, took place in Wellington on Wednesday. 

In March the Queen approved the appointment of Satyanand, who succeeds Dame Silvia Cartwright after a five year term.

Satyanand, whose parents are Indo-Fijians, is a lawyer, judge and former ombudsman.

He says he is deeply honoured to have been asked to serve as Governor General and says there will be a great deal of pride within the Indian community about his appointment.

His investiture began with an Indian and Maori welcome, which was followed by the constitutional swearing in.  A commission of appointment was read, and the oath of allegiance and the oath of office were taken.

The appointment was then proclaimed, at which point Satyanand became the 19th Governor General of New Zealand.

He then received a 21 gun salute and inspected the royal guard of honour.

Prime Minister Helen Clark addressed the ceremony prior to the new Governor General speaking.

At his appointmnet, Clark said Satyanand will bring many strengths to his new role including a broad knowledge of the workings of government and the law.

"Throughout his working life judge Satyanand has made a substantial contribution to legal reform and legal education.

"He has been active in a range of community, cultural and sporting groups, and maintains an abiding interest in international affairs and New Zealand's relationships with other countries," Clark said.

After the ceremony the vice regal party moved into Parliament House where presentations will be made in the Grand Hall.  This will be followed by a reception in the Banquet Hall.

Later on Wednesday Satyanand lay a wreath at the National War Memorial, which is a tradition that all new Governor General undertake on the day of their swearing in.

Satyanand's appointment was widely welcomed.

"I warmly welcome his appointment and I believe that with his Asian, Fijian, Indian and Kiwi background he will do an excellent job for the increasingly diverse society that is New Zealand today," United Future leader Peter Dunne said.

New Zealand First leader and Foreign Minister Winston Peters said his party fully supports the appointment

"He is the right person to carry out the diverse role of the Queen's representative in 21st century New Zealand.

"Judge Satyanand has the experience, respect and demeanour to fulfil the various demands of this most important constitutional role in the manner we expect in New Zealand."