Tasmania is getting its first female governor.

Professor Kate Warner will take over from the late Peter Underwood to become the island state’s 28th governor, Premier Will Hodgman announced on Monday.

“I’m really excited about this new opportunity,” Prof Warner told reporters in Hobart.

“I really want to dedicate myself to Tasmania and the people of Tasmania.”

The constitutional role became vacant when Mr Underwood, 76, died in July after surgery to remove a kidney tumour.

Prof Warner was earlier this year made a Member of the Order of Australia for services to the law, especially in the education area.

She’s a prominent member of Tasmania’s law scene having became the first female dean of the faculty of law at the University of Tasmania in 1992.

“Professor Warner now brings her own qualities to this important role, as Tasmania’s first female governor,” Mr Hodgman said.

She will be sworn in on December 10 and will live at Government House during the five-year appointment.