Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern is expected to make an announcement about the Governor-General in her post-cabinet briefing to media.

She is expected today to name who the new Governor-General will be after Dame Patsy Reddy's five-year term ends in September.

Dame Patsy is New Zealand's 21st Governor-General.

She succeeded former Chief of the Defence Force Sir Jerry Mateparae in 2016.

Dame Patsy is a lawyer who recently worked with Sir Michael Cullen on a review of New Zealand's intelligence and security agencies.

She told RNZ upon appointment she was "stunned" when contacted by Ardern to take up the role.

"I asked 'why me'? This was not a role that I'd ever imagined I might hold," she told RNZ in 2016.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has welcomed the appointment of Dame Cindy Kiro as the next Governor-General of New Zealand.

The appointment of Dame Cindy for a five-year term has been approved by the Queen and she will take up the role in October.

'I am delighted Dame Cindy has accepted the role. She has a highly distinguished and lengthy career in academic and leadership positions and has made significant contributions across a number of fields and organisations,” says Ardern.

'She is currently Chief Executive of the Royal Society - Te Apārangi, which advances research and scholarly activity in science, technology and the humanities and raises public understanding of those fields.

'Dame Cindy was previously the Children's Commissioner, had leadership roles at several New Zealand universities, including Pro Vice-chancellor Māori at the University of Auckland, extensive health sector experience, and a number of roles in community and voluntary organisations.

'Over many decades, Dame Cindy has demonstrated her passion for the wellbeing of children and young people, as well as education and learning. I know she will bring that same commitment to all New Zealanders as Governor-General.

'We are privileged to have someone of Dame Cindy's mana and standing for the role and I am very grateful that she agreed to become our next Governor-General.”

Ardern has thanks the current Governor-General, the Rt Hon Dame Patsy Reddy, and will host a State farewell for her in September.

'On behalf of New Zealand, I want to acknowledge Dame Patsy for her dedication and service as Governor-General over the past five years and to wish her and Sir David the very best for the future.”