New Zealand's 21st Governor General is Vegan

Just last week, Ireland’s former president, Mary Robinson, told a room full of young leaders to “eat less meat, or no meat at all” and to become “vegetarian or vegan.” Now, Dame Patsy Reddy, New Zealand’s first vegan Governor General, has officially been sworn in.

According to a Government House spokeswoman, Reddy, who is New Zealand’s third female Governor General, was treated to a fully plant-based banquet ceremony. The menu was as royal as one would expect, and according to Stuff, featured:

“Shittake mushroom consomme, karengo and tapioca crackers, steamed buns with miso roasted aubergine and pickled cucumber and crispy fried tofu with lemongrass, chilli and black vinegar. For the main, chargrilled new-season asparagus was served with Maori skordalia, beetroot and sesame felafel and a tahini and baby beetroot salad. Dessert was a citrus syrup cake with date and cacao filo, cupuacu, coconut sorbet and petits fours.”

While Stuff notes the banquet was for “Dame Patsy’s family, close friends and colleagues,” the wide variety of plant-based options would be “available during any official dinner for foreign and visiting guests.” Claire Insley, the spokesperson for Vegan Society of New Zealand, noted the significance of the news, stating:

“It’s wonderful that all dietary options are catered for, especially in this day and age. Of course, we find a lot of chefs actually do enjoy the challenge of having to create different options. It’s just quite exciting to hear we have a vegan Governor General, and I’m sure it will help to bring it into the mainstream.”

Photo Credit: www.stuff.co.nz