ISSUE
Friday, August 15, 2025
Volume 16 . Issue 72
The former Governor-General of New Zealand, Sir Anand Satyanand, has been appointed as Chair of the Commonwealth Foundation in London.
Sir Satyanand is the first New Zealander to hold this position and will serve an initial term of up to two years.
“As a former Governor-General with an impressive record of public service, Sir Anand is well qualified for this role,” says Prime Minister John Key. “He has had a long association with the Commonwealth, through delivering training for Ombudsmen, membership of the Commonwealth Trust, and contributions to the Commonwealth Law Bulletin,” Key adds.
The Samaritan, on the other hand, is humbled with the honour as much as delighted. “I am delighted to be appointed as Chair of the Commonwealth Foundation and I look forward to leading the Foundation’s role of encouragement for the efforts of civil society organisations and professional groups,” Sir Satyanand said.
As Chair of the Foundation, Sir Satyanand will preside over meetings of its Board of Governors, represent the Foundation at intergovernmental meetings and events, and serve as an ambassador for the Commonwealth Foundation, promoting the Foundation’s vision and values.
Vijay Krishnarayan, Commonwealth Foundation Director said, “We are honoured to welcome Sir Anand Satyanand as the Commonwealth Foundation’s new Chair.
His background and experience will be real assets to the Foundation and help advance its agenda of citizen participation and inclusion in governance systems.”
In July last year, Sir Satyanand was selected as one of 12 people from around the world to serve on the board of the Indian Development Foundation for Overseas Indians (IDF-OI). His role in this prestigious foundation has been to oversee and co-ordinate social entrepreneurship and philanthropy to supplement India’s development efforts.
Sir Satyanand, born in an Indo-Fijian family, was the 19th Governor-General of New Zealand and has also worked as a lawyer, judge and ombudsman.
HONORS AND AWARDS
1982 - His Honour Judge Anand Satyanand
2005 - His Honour Judge Anand Satyanand awarded DCNZM (Distinguished Companion New Zealand Order of Merit)
2006 - His Honour Judge Anand Satyanand awarded PCNZM (Principal Companion New Zealand Order of Merit)
2007 - His Excellency The Hon. Anand Satyanand became the Governor-General of New Zealand
2009 - His Excellency The Hon. Sir Anand Satyanand awarded GNZM (Knighthood) and QSO (Queen’s Service Medal)
The former Governor-General of New Zealand, Sir Anand Satyanand, has been appointed as Chair of the Commonwealth Foundation in London. Sir Satyanand is the first New Zealander to hold this position and will serve an initial term of up to two years. “As a former Governor-General with an...
The former Governor-General of New Zealand, Sir Anand Satyanand, has been appointed as Chair of the Commonwealth Foundation in London.
Sir Satyanand is the first New Zealander to hold this position and will serve an initial term of up to two years.
“As a former Governor-General with an impressive record of public service, Sir Anand is well qualified for this role,” says Prime Minister John Key. “He has had a long association with the Commonwealth, through delivering training for Ombudsmen, membership of the Commonwealth Trust, and contributions to the Commonwealth Law Bulletin,” Key adds.
The Samaritan, on the other hand, is humbled with the honour as much as delighted. “I am delighted to be appointed as Chair of the Commonwealth Foundation and I look forward to leading the Foundation’s role of encouragement for the efforts of civil society organisations and professional groups,” Sir Satyanand said.
As Chair of the Foundation, Sir Satyanand will preside over meetings of its Board of Governors, represent the Foundation at intergovernmental meetings and events, and serve as an ambassador for the Commonwealth Foundation, promoting the Foundation’s vision and values.
Vijay Krishnarayan, Commonwealth Foundation Director said, “We are honoured to welcome Sir Anand Satyanand as the Commonwealth Foundation’s new Chair.
His background and experience will be real assets to the Foundation and help advance its agenda of citizen participation and inclusion in governance systems.”
In July last year, Sir Satyanand was selected as one of 12 people from around the world to serve on the board of the Indian Development Foundation for Overseas Indians (IDF-OI). His role in this prestigious foundation has been to oversee and co-ordinate social entrepreneurship and philanthropy to supplement India’s development efforts.
Sir Satyanand, born in an Indo-Fijian family, was the 19th Governor-General of New Zealand and has also worked as a lawyer, judge and ombudsman.
HONORS AND AWARDS
1982 - His Honour Judge Anand Satyanand
2005 - His Honour Judge Anand Satyanand awarded DCNZM (Distinguished Companion New Zealand Order of Merit)
2006 - His Honour Judge Anand Satyanand awarded PCNZM (Principal Companion New Zealand Order of Merit)
2007 - His Excellency The Hon. Anand Satyanand became the Governor-General of New Zealand
2009 - His Excellency The Hon. Sir Anand Satyanand awarded GNZM (Knighthood) and QSO (Queen’s Service Medal)
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