Governor-General increases overseas trips 11-fold

Dame Silvia Cartwright on a a trip to Tonga in 2003. Picture / Martin Sykes

Governor-General Dame Silvia Cartwright this week makes her 11th state visit overseas - 10 more than her predecessor.

Her trip to Vietnam indicates the role is no longer just a figurehead, whose sole purpose is to sip tea with visiting dignitaries.

The only journey offshore by Dame Silvia's predecessor, Sir Michael Hardie Boys, was to China.

She said the massive increase in trips benefited New Zealand.

"Our real head of state, the Queen, can't do state visits on our behalf," Dame Silvia said.

"If you have a de facto head of state visiting, it opens quite different doors to those a prime minister can open."

National deputy leader Gerry Brownlee said earlier this month that he had "lost respect" for the Governor-General over the way the new Government was formed.

Mr Brownlee said the current constitutional arrangements had been trampled over by Prime Minister Helen Clark "and her cohort".

However, Helen Clark dismissed his comments as "irresponsible" and it later emerged that National had been contacted by the Governor-General following the election.

During her six-day visit to Vietnam, Dame Silvia will offer the weight of diplomatic influence to New Zealand businesses attempting to carve a niche in Vietnam which, at more than 7 per cent a year, is the second fastest growing economy in Asia, behind China.

Trade between New Zealand and Vietnam was worth about $250 million in the year to June 2005.

She will also visit NZ Aid projects in Binh Dinh province, stop in on universities in Hanoi and the business capital, Ho Chi Minh City, and hold talks with the Prime Minister Phan Van Khai and the Secretary General of the Communist Party of Vietnam, Nong Duc Manh.

She said the diplomatic role was one she took seriously, aware that she is the public face of New Zealand.

"I have learnt that you are an actor in a play, and if you know your part, if you have memorised your lines, you will be fine."

Her term ends in August.

- NZPA, HERALD ONLINE STAFF