Interesting appointment...Former Governor General to lead Climate Change Commission
Glenn McConnell
December 09, 2024 •10:53am
- Former Governor General Rt Hon Dame Patsy Reddy appointed Climate Change Commissioner.
- She replaces Dr Rod Carr, who finished as climate change commissioner last week.
- Felicity Underhill and Devon McLean will also join Climate Change Commission.
Former Governor General Rt Hon Dame Patsy Reddy has been appointed to lead the Climate Change Commission.
Reddy’s new role was confirmed on Monday by Climate Change Minister Simon Watts, following the conclusion of Dr Rod Carr tenure last week.
The Climate Change Commission is responsible for holding the Government to account for reaching responding to climate change and reducing the emissions which fuel it.
It also provides advice to the Government about policy.
Rt Hon Dame Patsy Reddy and Climate Change Minister, Simon Watts.SUPPLIED
Reddy worked as a corporate lawyer and went on to hold a series of governance roles in the private and public sector, including leading the Film Commission.
She served as Governor General for five years, starting in 2016.
Following that role, in which she saw three prime ministers, Reddy was elected chairperson of the New Zealand Rugby Board - from the end of 2022. In October, she confirmed she would not be standing for re-appointment.
Carr, in an exit interview with The Post last week, shared some advice for his successor.
“Stay the course. This is a marathon,” he said.
“There will be different choices made by governments — that is their right.
“There will be different consequences for those choices, and it is for the commission to help all New Zealanders understand the consequences of the choices that are being made.”
Dame Patsy Reddy started as the chairperson of NZ Rugby at the end of 2022.DAVID UNWIN / The Post
Watts said Reddy was starting her role as Climate Commissioner with an “extensive and distinguished career in law and governance”.
He said she would start in the role from February.
Joining Reddy on the Commission were new appointees Felicity Underhill and Devon McLean. Both bring expertise in decarbonisation and forestry governance, replacing outgoing commissioners Catherine Leining and Professor James Renwick.
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