Category: New Zealand Governor General

Source: New Zealand Governor General

E nga mana, e nga reo, e nga iwi o te motu e huihui nei, tēnei aku mihi nui ki a koutou. Kia ora tātou katoa.

I’d like to specifically acknowledge Rachel Walker, President of the Royal Agricultural and Pastoral Society, and all attendees here this morning, representing the Society’s member organisations from around the country. I’m delighted to be able to join you for the Royal A&P Society’s Centennial Conference here in beautiful Christchurch.

As Governor-General, and Patron of the Royal A&P Society, I welcome this opportunity to acknowledge and celebrate the achievements and aspirations of this wonderful organisation, and all the member organisations across Aotearoa who comprise it.

I was disappointed not to be able to join you for this year’s Royal Show in Levin, which sounded like a great success – with record gate takings, exhibitors travelling from right across New Zealand, and, I gather, a significant increase in stock numbers.

I wish to take this opportunity to congratulate the Horowhenua AP&I Society on delivering such a successful show – especially following the immensely difficult and uncertain past few years for A&P societies around the country through the Covid-19 pandemic.

A&P shows have long been an important part of New Zealand’s cultural and social fabric. It was just two years after the signing of Te Tiriti o Waitangi/the Treaty of Waitangi that New Zealand’s first agricultural show was held in the Bay of Islands.

It didn’t take like long for such shows to become a regular fixture in communities across New Zealand. I was charmed to read of the first Hawke’s Bay A&P Show, held in October 1863 in Alfred Dawes’ paddock in Havelock North – attracting 23 cattle, 22 horses, 18 sheep, six pigs, three dogs, and a pen of poultry.

Over the years, A&P shows continued to grow in stature, scale, and prominence throughout country. Many New Zealanders will have fond memories of their early experiences at local A&P shows: whether it be stroking the magnificent fleece of a ribbon-winning merino, decorating a sand plate, or watching the displays of skill and speed in the equestrian arena.

As you put it so well in your vision statement, for 100 years, the Royal A&P Society has been playing a vital role in connecting New Zealand’s rural and urban communities.

When my husband Dr Davies and I were last in the UK, we spent time with Richard’s cousin, who works as a farmer in Wales. I was proud to hear him speak so admiringly about pioneering trends in New Zealand farming, particularly relating to diversification and regenerative practices.

However, as I’m sure all here in attendance are aware, the agricultural sector faces many serious threats. We see food security around the world threatened by global conflicts. We grapple with the impacts of climate change, biodiversity loss, and the spread of new pest species.

The extreme weather events here in New Zealand over the past few years were a shocking indicator of the acuteness of such threats. While great challenges lie ahead, our scientists and farmers continue to identify opportunities to adapt land use to better suit local environments and protect our planet for future generations.

The whakataukī says: ‘He manako te koura i kore ai. Wishing for a crayfish won’t get you a crayfish.’ Our descendants will look back at this time of great uncertainty and change, and be grateful for the efforts of those who heeded the call, who chose to be part of the solution, and acted with courage and foresight to ensure a prosperous and sustainable future for agriculture in New Zealand.

On that note, I wish to finish by acknowledging all that the Royal A&P Society does to support rural New Zealand – so much of which I know happens on a voluntary basis. I am proud to be your Patron, and I wish you all the very best for your centennial conference.

Kia ora huihui tātou katoa.

Source: New Zealand Governor General

Rau rangatira mā, e huihui nei, tēnei aku mihi nui ki a koutou. Kia ora tātou katoa.

Talofa

Richard and I are delighted to host you all this evening.

I extend a very special welcome to the O le Ao o le Malo, His Highness Afioga Tuimaleali’ifano Va’aletoa Sualauvi the Second, and Masiofo Faamausili Leinafo.

The Ceremony of Welcome afforded to you today affirms and celebrates the very special connection between Samoa and New Zealand.

And what a special moment it was for the children from the Naenae Primary School’s Tava’e Bilingual Samoan Unit. We were so pleased they could be present at the welcome, and I am sure they will remember it for years to come.

It is an absolute pleasure for Richard and me to renew our acquaintance with you, and to repay the warm welcome and wonderful hospitality extended to us during our visit to Samoa in 2022.

During our time in Upolo and Savai’i, I experienced a deep sense of pride, connection and kinship through my own Polynesian ancestry – and it was a particularly joyful homecoming for my Official Secretary, Alice Ropata.

At Maagiagi Village we were delighted to help launch the “Save the Manumea” campaign – which I trust is helping to raise awareness of the wellbeing of your beloved national bird.

Just a few weeks later, we met under much more sombre circumstances, at the funeral of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II – and just over a year ago, we returned to London to celebrate the Coronation of His Majesty King Charles III.

While we were in London, Richard and I were privileged to witness your powerful and heartfelt address to representatives of island nations. Your Highness, the humanity, wisdom and insights you expressed that day reflect a lifetime of distinguished service to your nation – in education, the law, and politics, as well as your commitment to international collaboration to address regional challenges.

Our nations are close Pacific friends, we have shared principles and values, and the prosperity and security of our nations and peoples are inextricably linked. That relationship has been acknowledged and strengthened by our 2024 Statement of Partnership, which identifies five priority areas for cooperation until 2028: partnership, security, empowering communities, building climate resilience, and inspiring growth.

The focus of New Zealand’s support is in the priority areas of health, education and scholarships, tourism, private sector support, and economic and institutional resilience.

In recent years, our nations have collaborated effectively in our response to the measles outbreak and the COVID-19 pandemic. New Zealand’s Ministry of Health worked with authorities in Samoa to keep COVID-19 out of the community until March 2022, thus enabling good progress with Samoa’s vaccination programme before the outbreak. Those efforts must have been deeply appreciated by the Samoan people, as well as the over 180,000 New Zealanders who can claim Samoan heritage.

Aotearoa has benefited immeasurably from the aspirations, talents and energy of Samoans who have chosen to make their home here – in fields as diverse as music, film, fine arts, sport, religious life, commerce, literature, government, and education. And here I must acknowledge Your Highness’s own contribution during your time serving as a police officer in New Zealand.

Looking ahead, no doubt you are focussing on Samoa’s hosting of the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting in October and the opportunities it will present to work with other nations in affirming and building on the core values established under the Commonwealth Charter, and in highlighting the concerns and interests of small island states.

We look forward to even closer ties between New Zealand and Samoa in the future – capitalising on the energy and resolve both nations can bring to addressing the challenges of our times, and creating a sustainable and prosperous future for our peoples.

Once again, I extend a warm welcome to our honoured guests. Richard and I are delighted to be your hosts, and will do all we can to make your stay in Aotearoa enjoyable and memorable.

Source: New Zealand Governor General

E nga iwi o te motu e e huihui mai nei, tēnei aku mihi nui ki a koutou. Kia ora mai tātou katoa

Thank you so much for inviting me to join you at the Whaiora o Nga Iwi Taketake gala dinner. This is something of a homecoming for me as I was present at the beginnings of Te Hononga o Tamaki me Hoturoa, and it was my great privilege to be able to return and celebrate what you have achieved at an event such as this.

In 2010, I wonder if any of us could have imagined that 14 years later, Te Hononga, a relatively small Māori health provider, would be hosting a fully subscribed conference – attended by political leaders, health practitioners, community workers, researchers, academics, students, policy makers, and guardians of traditional knowledge and practices.

In 2010, as now, we could see communities missing out on access to vital healthcare in the Auckland region. Te Hononga was determined to improve this situation and has set about doing just that.

Te Hononga has become an effective force for good in the Auckland region, with holistic programmes of care in schools and people’s homes. I appreciate what a difference it makes when whānau interact with health-workers who understand their needs – and have expertise and cultural competence to meet their expectations.

The impacts of that experience benefit every aspect of people’s lives.

He oranga ngakau, he pikinga waiora.

In early 2020, when COVID-19 arrived in New Zealand, Te Hononga staff found ways to pivot and maintain those vital relationships and their duty of care. Phone and Facetime replaced kanehi-to-kanehi.

We were fortunate to see such a great spirit of collaboration between health providers during this time – to provide testing for COVID, to drop off food supplies to whānau, and later to roll out vaccination programmes. Their manaakitanga and dedication helped keep whānau safe at an anxious time for all concerned.

This conference is confirmation, if any were needed, that addressing indigenous health requires a clear focus on results that address inequities in health provision, access, treatments and follow up and therefore make a difference to health outcomes.

Interestingly, such approaches often benefit not just indigenous peoples and their families and communities, but also others who access such services. They are not exclusive, but they are responsive and informed.

Having the guidance of our kuia and kaumatua, our energy and expertise of younger Māori who combine specific expertise and compassion for those who have experienced disproportionate access and treatment, does lead to overall improvements for all New Zealanders.

This is vital work, and the stakes are high. We all want our tamariki to live long and healthy lives, and we need to do the right thing by them – and by our kuia and kaumatua.

I don’t discount the challenges for Māori health providers – the underling factors beyond your control, and the constraints you work under.

I also imagine you know the satisfaction of changing whānau perceptions of what health-care means for them, of diagnosing previously overlooked conditions, and empowering clients to manage those conditions more effectively.

We can also be proud that this kaupapa is gathering momentum across Aotearoa, and inspiring other indigenous communities around the world.

The time you are spending together this week will further strengthen your networks, your practice and capacity to succeed in your work.

And as your Governor-General, I can tell you that much your kaupapa aligns with my own aspirations for the greater wellbeing of the people and natural world in Aotearoa.

During my term of office, two of my strategic priorities are oranga and mohio – and stem from my experience in health, academia, and my previous role as Chief Executive of the Royal Society – where I welcomed and encouraged an responsiveness to Māori amongst our research community.

In my current role I have had several opportunities to converse with His Majesty King Charles, and you will be pleased to know he has expressed a keen interest in learning about the contributions indigenous knowledge can make to our understanding of the wellbeing of people and our natural world.

Congratulations to the Board of Te Hononga, to Marion her team involved in making this week’s hui happen, and I hope it will be the first of many!

Source: New Zealand Governor General

Rau rangatira mā, e huihui nei, tēnei aku mihi nui ki a koutou. Kia ora tātou katoa.

I specifically acknowledge:

• Nicki Nichol, CEO; and Liz Dawson, President of the New Zealand Olympic Committee
• And of course the 2024 NZOC Wāhine Toa graduates

Tēnā koutou katoa.

It is my pleasure to welcome you to Government House Auckland for the graduation of the 2024 New Zealand Olympic Committee Wāhine Toa programme.

I would like to begin by acknowledging another wāhine toa that the NZOC and I share as kuia: Ranui Ngarimu. I note she has recently completed a very special kākahu, Te Hono ki Matariki, joining Te Mahutonga, to be worn by our flagbearers at the upcoming Paris Olympics. I am very much looking forward to seeing these beautiful kākahu signalling the arrival of the New Zealand team at the Welcoming Ceremony on the banks of the Seine.

Historically, when women’s sport is given a supportive environment in which to thrive, it inevitably it does. In the United Kingdom during the First World War and into the 1920s, women’s football became the most-watched format of the game. At its peak, 53,000 people filled a stadium to watch a match between Dick, Kerr Ladies F.C. and St Helens Ladies in Liverpool.

Women’s baseball in the United States was also hugely successful during the Second World War with the creation of a dedicated league – and at the height of its popularity, it attracted 900,000 spectators a season.

Sadly, history shows us that this momentum was soon lost. Very soon after that record-breaking Dick, Kerr and St Helens game, the Football Association decided to ban women from playing on grounds they regulated – a decision that was emulated here in New Zealand, and one that lasted for fifty years.

Despite these backward steps, I am heartened to see that now, in Aotearoa, and indeed around the world, once again, we are entering a new and exciting chapter for women’s sport.

New Zealand has recently played host to three women’s world cups – cricket, rugby and football – with many matches breaking attendance records. In America, more people watched last month’s women’s NCAA basketball final between Iowa and Connecticut, than watched the men’s 2023 NBA Finals.

I appreciate there will be many contributing factors as to why women’s sport is returning to an equivalent level of success it once enjoyed over 100 years ago. However, I don’t believe it is a coincidence that at the same time, we are increasingly seeing women represented in sports governance, making decisions that affect the game from a grass-roots level, right to the very top.

Earlier this week, Dame Sarai Bareman – who was appointed the first-ever FIFA Chief of Women’s Football – was here to receive her Damehood, recognising her immense contributions to the game. Diana Puketapu-Lyndon and my predecessor, Dame Patsy Reddy, are serving as the first women Chairs of New Zealand Cricket and Rugby respectively.

To that end, I am proud to congratulate the graduates of the New Zealand Olympic Committee Wāhine Toa Programme, as you have chosen to continue your careers in sport by providing valuable perspectives, guidance, and leadership across your chosen fields.

New Zealand Olympians have always been outstanding models for inspiring others to strive towards Olympic greatness, and to have the chance to wear the silver fern with the pride it commands.

It takes both inspiration and years of tremendous effort, along with the support of family, friends, and coaches, to realise the Olympic dream. Throughout your careers in sports governance, I have no doubt you will help enable many future athletes by being outstanding leaders, advocates, and mentors.

Mā mua ka kite a muri, mā muri ka ora a mua. Those who lead give sight to those who follow, those who follow give life to those who lead. I look forward to following your journeys, and I wish you all the very best.    

No reira, tēna koutou, tēna koutou, tēna koutou katoa.

For more on this event, click here: 2024 Wahine Toa Graduation.

 

Source: New Zealand Governor General

Rere ana nga roimata o Hine tērā te pae o Te Riri. Huihuia mai tātau katoa tēnei te pae o Maumahara. E nga iwi, kei aku rangatira wāhine ma, tāne mā tēnā tātau katoa.

I specifically acknowledge:

• Taranaki Whānui
• His Excellency Alfredo Rogerio Perez Bravo, Ambassador of the United Mexican States and Dean of the Diplomatic Corps
• The Honourable Nicola Willis, Minister of Finance 
• Members of the Diplomatic Corps 
• The Honourable Peeni Henare, MP 
• Members of Parliament 
• Her Worship Tory Whanau, Mayor of Wellington 
• Mrs Françoise Rossignol, Mayor of Dainville
• Air Marshal Kevin Short, Chief of the New Zealand Defence Force
• General Angus Campbell, Chief of the Australian Defence Force
• Major General Martyn Dunne, Board Chairman, Royal New Zealand Returned Services and Association 

I also acknowledge and welcome all veterans and service personnel, their families, friends and whānau. To those who are present in Wellington today, and to those watching from home – we remember and pay tribute to you and your service today.

 

Every year on the 25th of April, we take time to remember the actions and courage of our ANZACs at Gallipoli. 

 

With the passage of time, the focus of our remembrance on Anzac Day has broadened to recognise the service and sacrifice of all those who have served New Zealand in armed conflict and global peacekeeping efforts.

 

At the National Dawn Service, we reflected on a number of significant milestones in the Second World War, including the 80th anniversaries of the Battle of Cassino and of the Normandy D-Day landings.

 

We are fortunate to still have in our communities a few surviving veterans of this conflict, and I pay special tribute to them today. I also acknowledge the descendants of those who served or who were involved in the war effort at home and across the Pacific. 

 

The Second World War affected almost every household in New Zealand. Almost 12,000 New Zealanders lost their lives during the conflict – the highest percentage of population in the Commonwealth.

 

The New Zealand poet, Kevin Ireland, recalled his childhood impressions of the shadow cast by war on homes around the country:

 

‘I remember going into people’s houses where sons and brothers had been killed and it’s an aspect of the war that’s been forgotten largely, the gloom that’s cast throughout the house, the special kind of grief. Because there was no body; nothing to concentrate the grief on, it was a lost grief.’

 

In war zones around the world, too many families continue to experience the immediate horrors of war, and their futures will be marred by their lingering grief at the loss of their loved ones.

 

It is timely then to also reflect this Anzac Day on the important contribution of New Zealand troops and personnel to peacekeeping operations around the globe.

 

New Zealand has been involved in more than 40 peace operations in more than 25 countries over the past seven decades, under United Nations auspices or as part of coalitions.

 

2024 marks 70 years since New Zealand military personnel first contributed to the UN Truce Supervision Organisation, in the aftermath of the 1948 Arab-Israeli War – the United Nations’ oldest peacekeeping operation.

 

This year also marks 60 years since New Zealand Police joined a United Nations mission in Cyprus, the first overseas peacekeeping deployment for New Zealand police officers.

 

This week has seen the gathering of New Zealand and Australian Somalia veterans to mark the 30th anniversary of the completion of New Zealand Defence Force operations in Somalia. 

 

And it was 25 years ago this September that violence erupted in East Timor, now known as Timor-Leste. The unrest prompted an international outcry and a call from the United Nations for a multinational force to restore order and provide humanitarian assistance until a UN peacekeeping force could be organised. 

 

Our enduring Anzac partner, Australia, led INTERFET — the resulting International Force East Timor. More than 5,000 Australian defence personnel were involved. New Zealand was the second largest contributor, and by October 1999 more than 1,100 New Zealanders were in East Timor, making it our largest military deployment since the Korean War. 

 

Lieutenant Colonel Martin Dransfield described the positive impact of his Battalion’s efforts on the people affected, when he said:

 

‘I think our success is best measured by the condition of the East Timorese people, who at last see the prospect of peace and stability after so much suffering. Their smiles, their gratitude makes us feel really humble. They are now planting crops, putting up buildings, and occupying empty villages where previously they had been too scared to return to them … That’s how I measure the success of the Battalion’s efforts here over the last six months.’

 

This Anzac Day, as we reflect on our service personnel’s reputation for courage and steadfastness – a legacy forged at Gallipoli – let us also take pride in New Zealand’s continued willingness to do what is necessary for peace and international security. 

 

In doing so, we can collectively honour the legacy of our ANZACs and our nation’s shared commitment to peace.

 

Kia maumahara tonu tātou ki a rātou. We will remember them.

Source: New Zealand Governor General

Rere ana nga roimata o Hine tērā te pae o Te Riri. Huihuia mai tātau katoa tēnei te pae o Maumahara. E nga iwi, kei aku rangatira wāhine ma, tāne mā tēnā tātau katoa.

I specifically acknowledge: Taranaki Whānui; The Honourable Nicola Willis, Minister of the Crown; Their Excellencies, the Ambassador of the Republic of Türkiye and High Commissioner of Australia; The Honourable Peeni Henare, MP; Her Worship Tory Whanau, Mayor of Wellington; Air Marshal Kevin Short, Chief of the New Zealand Defence Force; General Angus Campbell, Chief of the Australian Defence Force; and Kevin Arlidge, President of the Wellington Returned and Services’ Association.

And as always, a most special welcome to our veterans and to their whānau – both those who are present and those watching from home.

109 years after the landing of the ANZACs at Gallipoli, Anzac Day still holds deep significance for New Zealanders, as we see from the many thousands gathered here to greet the dawn, in honour of the sacrifice of our forebears.

Though we no longer have direct links to those who witnessed the First World War, such was its impact that it will always remain part of our family histories and our collective memory.

Since our first Anzac Day on the 25th of April 1916, the scope of our remembrance has expanded to include all other wars and armed conflicts in which New Zealand has been involved, as well as our ongoing efforts in peacekeeping.

I would like to give a special greeting here to the New Zealand and Australian Somalia veterans who have gathered to mark the 30th anniversary of the completion of New Zealand Defence Force operations in Somalia. Around 250 New Zealand Defence Force personnel played a vital role in the UN mission to protect humanitarian aid and restore peace. 

This morning I also wish to honour veterans of the Second World War, whose numbers are sadly fewer with the passing of the years. 

There will still be people in our communities who remember the war effort at home, what it was like to be left behind by family members and friends who served, the loss of loved ones, or loved ones forever changed by their traumatic experience of service.

This year, we acknowledge the 80th anniversary of a number of significant campaigns during the Second World War. 

We remember the involvement of New Zealanders at the Battle of Cassino, one of the most brutal battles of the Second World War, as well as the New Zealand 2nd Division’s role in the capture of Faenza. We also remember the RNZAF operations in the Pacific, as well as the New Zealand 3rd Division’s involvement in operations against Japanese troops on Nissan Island, just north of Bougainville.

This year, we also acknowledge the many thousands of New Zealanders who served in the Royal Air Force, the Royal Navy, and the Merchant Navy on D-Day – the 6th of June 1944 – and in the months that followed. 

By acknowledging these significant Second World War anniversaries, we honour the service, suffering, and sacrifice of our people in that momentous war.

Every New Zealand community has in some way been touched by our experience of war. More than 250,000 New Zealanders have served in war and peacekeeping operations – and of these, more than 30,000 have lost their lives, with many more wounded. On Anzac Day, we honour all who have served our nation, and all who have lost their lives as a result of their service.

We must also give special thought and thanks to the members of our New Zealand Defence Force who continue to serve with courage and professionalism in high-risk environments, both at home and overseas – and also to members of the New Zealand Police who serve in peace support roles.

On this Anzac Day, as we reflect on the service and sacrifice of New Zealanders across our military history, our thoughts and prayers are with the families around the world who continue to experience the horrors of war.

With our collective remembrance, and steadfast belief in our common humanity, we strengthen our hope and resolve to do what we can to foster dialogue and understanding, and to heal divisions in our pursuit of peace.

Kia maumahara tonu tātou ki a rātou. We will remember them.

Source: New Zealand Governor General

E nga mana, e nga reo, e nga iwi o te motu e huihui nei, tēnei aku mihi māhana ki a koutou. Kia ora tātou katoa.

I specifically acknowledge: The Honourable Andrew Bayly, Minister of the Crown; His Excellency Mr Jean de Dieu Uwihanganye, Rwandan High Commissioner to New Zealand – and it was lovely to see you at Waitangi earlier this year; Ms Clare de Lore, Honorary Consul-General for Rwanda; and Mr Colin Keating, Former Permanent Representative of New Zealand to the United Nations.

My predecessor Sir Jerry Mateparae spoke at this service ten years ago – and as Governor-General, I am honoured to join you once again this morning, commemorating 30 years since the 1994 Genocide Against the Tutsi in Rwanda.

This morning, we honour the memory of the more than 800,000 people whose lives were taken during those 100 days of such unimaginable violence and suffering in Rwanda. We turn our minds to all those Rwandans here in New Zealand and around the world whose lives are still so profoundly touched by the loss of family and loved ones – and who carry with them the memories of that time. And we remind ourselves of our deep and abiding obligations to one another, that we do not repeat the terrible mistakes of our past.

The events that took place across the cities and villages and streets of Rwanda, in the church halls and school halls, from April to July of 1994, represent one of the darkest moments in human history. 

In the face of such profound inhumanity, we struggle for the words to express our sorrow and our comprehension of what took place. Indeed, events such as this point to the stark failures of language to articulate the extent of the cruelty and hate, and the depth of our sorrow and loss.

It was the great New Zealand poet and writer Sir Vincent O’Sullivan who said: ‘There is nothing like a cliché to dishonour the dead.’ And while we may struggle to find the appropriate words, it is our duty on this day to be clear-sighted as we face the events of our past, and to be honest in our remembrance of all that took place 30 years ago in Rwanda. 

In that spirit, as we join in commemoration today, we recall that the Genocide Against the Tutsi was not an accident – it was a deliberate, methodical effort to erase a group of people, and to bring suffering – not just in those moments of cruel and violent action, but for generations into the future. 

The Genocide turned neighbour against neighbour, families against themselves, and stoked those impulses of hatred and intolerance which represent the very worst of our nature. 

We also recognise today that the Genocide was a moment in our shared history where the world looked on at the events unfolding in Rwanda and did not act. It showed us the terrible dangers, not only of intolerance, but of ambivalence and inaction. As Elie Wiesel said, in words that ring today with such piercing clarity and truth: ‘The opposite of love is not hate, it’s indifference.’

At this moment in our history, where we see so much of the suffering and despair of innocent people in the world around us, we do well to remember this lesson. We must compel ourselves not to turn away from the suffering of others, but to do all we can to encourage understanding, reconciliation, and peace – and to deal with one another with generosity and compassion.

I wish to take this opportunity to acknowledge all the Rwandan New Zealanders in attendance today – for your courage and commitment to building your new lives and homes here. Please know that you are welcome – and that we are lucky that you have chosen Aotearoa New Zealand as your home.

I am proud that the bond of friendship between New Zealand and Rwanda continues to be strengthened – particularly through our membership of the Commonwealth of Nations. And I am filled with such admiration for the people of Rwanda for your staunch pursuit of peace, hope, and prosperity.

As Governor-General, on behalf of all New Zealanders, I extend my very deepest sympathies to Rwandans here, across the country, and around the world – and know that we join with you today in deepest sorrow, remembrance, and resolve.

Ka maumahara tonu tātou ki a rātou. We will remember them.

Source: New Zealand Governor General

E nga mana, e nga reo, e nga iwi o te motu e huihui nei, tēnei aku mihi nui ki a koutou. Kia ora tātou katoa.

 

I specifically acknowledge:

• The Hon Judith Collins, Minister of Defence
• Commodore Andrew Brown, Deputy Chief of Navy

Tēnā korua. 

 

Thank you for welcoming me back to HMNZS Philomel. During my previous visit I learned more about what the Royal New Zealand Navy does here and around the world, and I’m pleased to return to meet some young people who might be considering being part of the Navy’s future.

 

Education and the pursuit of knowledge has always been immensely important to me. When I left high school in Te Atatu, I didn’t quite know where I wanted to go in life, but I knew I wanted to continue learning. Which I did, spending a large part of my career in academia. Prior to my appointment to the role of Governor-General, I was Chief Executive of The Royal Society Te Apārangi, the funding agency for academic and applied research in New Zealand.  

 

While I have been fortunate to count many outstanding women as my colleagues over this time, I note that the science, technology, engineering, and math sector is still largely male-dominated, and even more so at a senior level.

 

There are daily reminders that a female perspective in technology and design needs to be incorporated. For example, women are far more likely to be injured in a car crash, as vehicles are engineered to accommodate men’s taller, heavier physiques. Similarly, phones can be unwieldly because they are usually designed to fit comfortably in larger hands.

 

I hope you young wāhine here today will build on your interest in STEM. I am delighted to support Schools to Seas, and hope it will encourage you to follow your passion and help find your place in this industry. 

 

As Governor-General, I have the great honour of being Commander-in-Chief of the Defence Force – so I’m equally pleased to meet young women who might apply this interest in STEM to a career with the Royal New Zealand Navy. Having inclusive, diverse workplaces that reflect the communities they serve is hugely important, and I commend the Navy in their efforts working towards this. 

 

Our Navy has a proud history of brave service in times of conflict around the world, and in more recent times Naval personnel have responded to natural disasters both here and in the Pacific – with STEM at the very heart of these responses.     

 

In the aftermath of the 2022 Tongan volcanic eruption, Navy hydrographers and divers were deployed to survey the safety of the island’s main wharf, ensuring the Defence Force could land on the Island to help those in need.

 

The divers and hydrographers also helped the response and recovery to the Whakaari/White Island eruption in 2019, helping conduct underwater searches. Last year a desalination facility aboard the HMNZS Manawanui provided fresh water to people affected by Cyclone Gabrielle.

 

Personally, I would also like to acknowledge how incredibly grateful I have been for the support the Navy has provided me during the annual Waitangi Day commemorations, and for the service and care given to me by some outstanding Navy wāhine – notably my Aides-de-camp Lt Nikita Leeks and Lt Rebecca Smeele. 

 

As you will have experienced in Schools to Seas, a career in the marine industry can be diverse, dynamic, and hugely rewarding. I hope you now have a greater appreciation as to how you can apply STEM to your future careers, wherever that may be. 

 

I’m very much looking forward to hearing more about your time in Devonport, and to seeing your skills in action later today. I hope you uncovered something that ignites your curiosity and encourages you to forge ahead in this exciting field. 

 

Kia ora, kia kaha, kia manawanui, huihui tātou katoa.

 

 

Source: New Zealand Governor General

E nga mana, e nga reo, e nga iwi o te motu e huihui nei, tēnei aku mihi nui ki a koutou. Kia ora tātou katoa.

 

It’s my great pleasure to welcome you, General Hurley and Linda, to Government House Auckland. I also wish to specifically acknowledge:

• Ministers of the Crown, The Honourable Paul Goldsmith and The Honourable Judith Collins 
• Her Excellency Harinder Sidhu, High Commissioner of Australia in New Zealand
• Members of Parliament
• His Worship Wayne Brown, Mayor of Auckland
• Willie Apiata, VC
• Veterans, service personnel and their families
• Government House Kaumātua, Joe Harawira, and Kuia, Pauline Hopa
• Distinguished guests.

 

Richard and I have been delighted to host Your Excellencies over these past two days of your State Visit. Having spent time with you both on several occasions in the United Kingdom, we have greatly enjoyed this opportunity to renew our acquaintance.

 

This is the first State Visit I’ve had the pleasure of hosting during my term as Governor-General, following such a long pause through the Covid-19 pandemic. I know that my predecessor, Dame Patsy Reddy, visited Your Excellencies in Australia just before the end of her term, and I’m pleased to have had the opportunity to reciprocate the hospitality.

 

I do hope you have enjoyed your programme of events and engagements here in Aotearoa, and that this proves to be a highlight of your final few weeks in office. You may be aware that we here in New Zealand are particularly attached to our native birds – and an absolute highlight for any New Zealander would be to help release a kiwi back into safe habitat. I’m so thrilled that we were able to share that experience with you earlier today.

 

I spoke at yesterday’s State Dinner about the close and unique relationship that exists between our two countries. In te ao Māori, we have a whakataukī, or a proverb, which says: ‘He hono tangata e kore e motu; kāpā he taura waka e motu. Unlike a canoe rope, a human bond cannot be severed.’  

 

I do believe it is those human bonds between Australia and New Zealand that make our relationship so special. I of course have my own personal connection, given a 30-year marriage to an Australian, and with our youngest child Dylan, born in Adelaide during the 1980s.

 

I am heartened to think that Australia and New Zealand will face the shared challenges of our future together. Many of you gathered here today represent the strength of those trans-Tasman connections – whether through business, sport, defence, or creative endeavours – and I thank you for all that you do in the spirit of the relationship between our two countries.

 

General Hurley, I know in the coming weeks, we will see many tributes paid to you, in recognition of your service to Australia over these past five years of your term as Governor-General. Having served as New Zealand Governor-General now for nearly two-and-a-half years, I can say with some confidence that I appreciate the work, responsibilities, and sacrifices that come with the role. I am sure you could not have done it without the loving support of Linda by your side.

 

Along with those sacrifices, I understand the great privileges and joys that come with the position too: of meeting extraordinary people, such as those gathered here this evening, doing remarkable things in the service of their fellow citizens; of doing what you can as Governor-General to shine a light on those causes and organisations doing such good in our communities; and of helping to strengthen the bonds of connection and friendship with our overseas partners.

 

If I may, I wish to quote your own address from your swearing-in ceremony in 2019: ‘Through speeches, supportive visits, and events of encouragement and recognition, the Governor-General can highlight to all Australians their inherent strengths, their concern for the common good, their humanity and decency, and their desire for a “fair go”.’

 

Delivering those words must feel like a lifetime ago – but hearing them again, I sincerely hope you also feel a deep sense of pride for all that you’ve achieved over these past five years. I wish to take this opportunity, on behalf of all New Zealanders, to thank for your service to Australia – and, by extension, all that you’ve done in the service of the relationship between our two countries. 

 

Richard and I wish you and Linda all the very best for these coming weeks, and hope that you enjoy this next chapter in your lives together.

 

Finally, my thanks once again to all our invited guests, for being here for this very special occasion. I look forward to meeting many of you over the course of this evening, and I encourage you to please enjoy the hospitality of this beautiful house.

 

Kia ora huihui tātou katoa.

Source: New Zealand Governor General

Rau rangatira mā, e huihui nei, tēnei aku mihi nui ki a koutou. Kia ora tātou katoa. 

First I wish to acknowledge the recent tragic events in Sydney. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of the victims of these terrible and senseless attacks.

This evening I wish to specifically acknowledge: The Honorable Casey Costello, Minister of the Crown ; Her Excellency Harinder Sidhu AM, High Commissioner of Australia in New Zealand; Members of Parliament; Air Marshall Kevin Short, Chief of New Zealand Defence Force; Andrew Coster, Commissioner of Police; senior members of the New Zealand Defence Force; veterans, service personnel and their families; Government House Kaumātua, Joe Harawira, and Kuia, Puhiwāhine Tibble; distinguished guests.

And of course a very warm welcome to you, General Hurley and Mrs Hurley. After COVID-19 has put paid to so many of our people-to-people interactions in recent years, Richard and I are delighted to see a resumption of the customary State Visit of Australian Governors-General to New Zealand. 

The Ceremony of Welcome afforded to you today affirms and celebrates the special connection between our Governors-General – as well as the very special relationship that exists between Australia and New Zealand.

The relationship between our two nations is the closest and most comprehensive of all our bilateral relationships. Our Prime Ministers and Ministers meet frequently, and I have certainly valued the occasions when General Hurley and I have had opportunities to meet each other and compare notes.

Few nations are as interconnected as Australia and New Zealand. We enjoy the benefits of increasing economic integration; we appreciate each other’s arts and culture (and happily claim it for our own on occasion); we foster intense sporting rivalries; and we proudly uphold our democratic institutions and our firm commitment to international rules-based systems.

Last year, we celebrated the 40th anniversary of CER, a trade agreement that has resulted in significant benefit for our people and businesses. Our trade relationship continues to evolve in our quest to achieve a single economic market, which will produce even greater returns for businesses on both sides of the Tasman.

The Tasman has proven to be more of a connecting channel than an ocean barrier to the movement of peoples between Australia and New Zealand. 

Australia is a home away from home for so many New Zealanders – and we are delighted to welcome Australians who choose to make their home here. Over a million people in Australia were either born in New Zealand, or have at least one New Zealand-born parent. As a wāhine Māori, I celebrate the increasing connections between iwi Māori and First Nation Peoples in Australia – and note that roughly one in seven Māori now live in Australia.

New Zealanders are proud of the contributions they have made to Australian society, and are deeply appreciative of the new pathway to citizenship.

Australia and New Zealand have long been regarded as places of promise by the peoples of the world. Generations of immigrants have been drawn by the natural beauty of our landscapes, and opportunities to start afresh and create a better future for their descendants. 

We are fortunate to have some of the most multicultural cities on the globe. We are strengthened by the energy and aspirations of our diverse communities, while retaining a particular sense of shared history and traditions.

Next week will see us recall a moment in history that has forever linked our peoples together. On Anzac Day, Australians and New Zealanders – wherever they might be in the world – will pause to honour those who have served in our defence forces.

In particular, they will think of our forebears who fought side by side on the narrow beaches and in the steep ravines of Gallipoli, in a valiant stand in the face of impossible odds. Ka maumahara tonu tātou ki a rātou. We will remember them.

As we trace the origins of our Anzac mateship to that shared experience, we should remember that the bond continues today and is strengthened wherever and whenever Australian and New Zealand military personnel are deployed together. 

Our Defence Forces are currently working together to support Ukraine’s self-defence against Russia’s illegal invasion, and as part of a coalition working to uphold maritime security in the Red Sea. We also share long-standing commitments to peacekeeping operations such as the Multinational Force and Observers in Sinai, or United Nations missions in South Sudan, South Korea, and the Middle East.

Your Excellency, I also want to acknowledge your military service. I know that throughout your career you have worked alongside the New Zealand Defence Force, in particular in Somalia. I am delighted that we are joined tonight by New Zealand veterans who also served in Somalia.

Another expression of our trans-Tasman mateship is evident when disaster strikes. We are there for each other. We will always cross the Tasman to lend each other a hand, whether it be in the aftermath of an earthquake in New Zealand, or in response to bushfires in Australia.

As the likelihood of such extreme weather events and climate-related emergencies will only increase in the future, we are indeed fortunate to have such good friends as neighbours.

We look forward to even closer ties in the future – capitalising on the energy, expertise, and innovation both nations can bring to addressing the challenges of our times and creating a sustainable future for our peoples.

General Hurley and Mrs Hurley, thank you for making time in your last weeks of your term to come to New Zealand. You are our honoured guests and friends, and Richard and I are very much looking forward to spending the next few days with you. I hope you both enjoy your visit, and return to New Zealand soon.

Kia ora huihui tātou katoa.