新西兰英语 411 Daily life after an earthquake

　　The Prime¹ Minister announced today the name of new Governor-General. He is Lieutenant-General Jerry Mateparae. His job will start in August this year and last for five years.
Jerry Mateparae began his career as a soldier in 1972 when he was 18 years old. He became Head of the Army in 2002 then in 2006 he was Head of Defence for New Zealand. Defence includes army, navy² and air force.
He will be the second Maori to be the Governor-General. He is married with five children.
When he is Governor-General, he will be Sir Jerry Mateparae. A Governor-General is the representative of the Queen. His job is to make sure we have a democratic³ government, to represent New Zealand overseas, to welcome important international visitors, to attend Waitangi Day and ANZAC Day ceremonies and to give medals to people who receive New Year’s and Queen’s Birthday Honours. The present Governor-General attends about 400 functions each year and usually makes speeches at these functions.
The Governor-General and his family live in Government House in Wellington.
Questions
If New Zealand became a republic, we would not have the Queen as our Head of State or a Governor-General. We would have a President instead. Do you think New Zealand should become a republic?

1 prime   

adj.首要的，主要的；最好的，第一流的

参考例句：

• The prime minister spoke of the general insecurity in the country.总理谈到了全国普遍存在的不安全。
• He met with the Prime Minister of Japan for an hour.他和日本首相会见了一个小时。

2 navy   

n.海军，海军人员，海军军力，藏青色

参考例句：

• My brother is in the navy.我兄弟在海军服役。
• He has transferred from the army to the navy.他从陆军转到海军。

3 democratic   

adj.民主的；民主主义的，有民主精神的

参考例句：

• Their country has democratic government.他们国家实行民主政体。
• He has a democratic work-style.他作风民主。