This determination is deemed to have come into force on 1 April 2020. It sets out the rate of the annuity payable to a former Governor-General.

The Remuneration Authority Act 1977 requires the Authority to consider a number of criteria in determining the annuity payable to a former Governor-General. The Authority must have regard to the need to be fair both to the people whose remuneration (including annuities) is being determined and to the taxpayer. And the Authority must take into account any prevailing adverse economic conditions.

Given the predicted effect that COVID-19 will have on the New Zealand economy, taxpayers, and society in general during the coming year, the Authority has made the difficult decision to maintain the rate of the annuity payable to a former Governor-General at the 2019/20 level. In making this decision, the Authority believes it has struck the right balance of being fair to the taxpayers and being fair to the group of persons who receive this annuity.

Therefore, the yearly rate of the annuity remains at $15,800 from 1 April 2020, with the maximum annuity payable remaining at $79,000 per annum.

The rate of the annuity is the same regardless of whether the former Governor-General held office for a total period of less than 2 complete years or for a total period of 2 complete years or more. If a former Governor-General held office for 2 complete years or more, the annual annuity payable is determined by multiplying the yearly rate by each complete year of the period that the Governor-General held office, up to a maximum of 5 years.

Section 9 of the Governor-General Act 2010 (the Act) provides that if a former Governor-General dies, the surviving spouse or partner is to be paid an annuity at half of the yearly rate that would have been payable if the person had not died.

Section 8(4) of the Act provides that the annuity is payable from the date that is 6 months after the date on which the person ceased to hold office as Governor-General.

The annuity recognises the contribution made to the country by a former Governor-General when that person was in the role and it also recognises the role of the former Governor-General’s spouse or partner. In addition, it takes account of the former Governor-General’s ongoing commitments after their term of office has ended.

This determination takes into account a range of factors, including the pay for other senior positions where the Remuneration Authority sets the remuneration.

This determination is for the year beginning 1 April 2020 and ending on 31 March 2021.

This determination expires on 31 March 2021.