April 3 (Bloomberg) -- New Zealand named Anand Satyanand, the country's former ombudsman, as governor general, according to a statement from Foreign Minister Winston Peters.

New Zealand, a former British colony, maintains the role of governor general as the queen's representative in the capital city of Wellington.

The governor general officiates at state functions such as the opening of the parliament, signs off on laws and appoints judges and commissioned officers in the military. Satyanand replaces Silvia Cartwright, who had held the post since 2001.

To contact the reporter on this story: Jonathan Underhill in Wellington junderhill@bloomberg.net

Last Updated: April 2, 2006 23:43 EDT