Retirements — Ombudsman—Judge Anand Satyanand

It is my privilege and pleasure to move, That this House, noting that Judge Anand Satyanand is retiring as Ombudsman this month, place on record its appreciation of his service as an Officer of Parliament since 1995 and as a District Court Judge from 1982, and wish Judge and Mrs Susan Satyanand all the best for the future.

We agreed in the Business Committee that I would put the motion but that before doing so, as the Speaker of Parliament I would be able to say just a couple of words. I want to say this has been a very great privilege—and Mr Satyanand is sitting in the gallery today—and I am very much appreciative of it. I know what a great servant of New Zealand he has been. I know how well he has carried out his duties as an officer of Parliament, and I can say that as Speaker I have had only respect and admiration for the work that he has done.

Motion agreed to.