Elizabeth the Second, by the Grace of God Queen of New Zealand and Her Other Realms and Territories, Head of the Commonwealth, Defender of the Faith:

To all to whom these presents shall come, Greeting:

• Recites Letters Patent of 28 October 1983

• (1) Whereas by certain Letters Patent under the Seal of New Zealand dated 28 October 1983 (the Letters Patent), We did constitute the Office of Governor-General and Commander-in-Chief in and over Our Realm of New Zealand:

• Recites desirability of modernising Governor-General's Oath

• (2) And whereas it is desirable to modernise the language of the Oath for the due execution of the Office of Our Governor-General:

• Recites expedience of not requiring attendance in person at Executive Council meeting in situation of urgency or emergency

• (3) And whereas it is expedient that in a situation of urgency or emergency members of the Executive Council need not attend in person a meeting of the Council:

• Recites that Office of Administrator of Government to continue to devolve in accordance with seniority in judiciary

• (4) And whereas the Office of Administrator of the Government should continue to devolve in order of seniority in the New Zealand judiciary after the enactment of the Supreme Court Act 2003 establishing the Supreme Court of New Zealand:

• Recites desirability of allowing Governor-General to travel abroad without leave

• (5) And whereas it is desirable that Our Governor-General be able to travel abroad without Our leave:

• Recites approval by Executive Council of draft of amending Letters Patent

• (6) And whereas, by Order in Council at Wellington on the 17th day of July 2006, Our Governor-General and Commander-in-Chief of New Zealand, acting by and with the advice and consent of the Executive Council of New Zealand, has requested the issue of Letters Patent amending the Letters Patent of 28 October 1983 and has set out in the Schedule to the Order in Council the form of the draft of the amending Letters Patent:

• Recites approval by Government of Cook Islands and Government of Niue of draft of amending Letters Patent

• (7) And whereas approval of the draft of the amending Letters Patent has been signified on behalf of the Government of the Cook Islands and the Government of Niue:

Now, therefore, We do declare Our will and pleasure in regard to the Letters Patent of 28 October 1983 as follows: