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.

Thank you for your kind invitation for me to be with you today, for this very special celebration of the Cambodian New Year. I understand that this is the first time a Governor-General has visited this temple, and I am both honoured and proud to be here.

I wish to begin by acknowledging the Buddha and his teachings of compassion and equanimity, which continue to resonate so clearly in our world today. 

I am struck, being here this morning, by the beauty of this temple, and of this community – and I wish to acknowledge the Senior Venerable Suthep Surapong for your gracious leadership of the Cambodian community over many years. 

I also wish to acknowledge Dame Fiona Kidman, who I know to be a dear friend of this community. And to all guests here today – tēnā koutou katoa.

As Governor-General, one of my main priorities is to encourage a sense of kotahitanga across New Zealand communities – to celebrate New Zealand’s diversity and those things we all share. Nearly halfway into my term of office, I have had the great pleasure of meeting New Zealanders of all faiths and backgrounds, and of continuing to learn about our remarkable cultural and religious diversity.

In preparing to join you for this morning’s celebration, I have enjoyed learning about the traditions often associated with the Khmer New Year: with the three days of celebrations, including time for reflection, worship, and prayer; acts of charity; and the exchanging of gifts and wisdom within families. I look forward to learning more about the celebrations over the course of this morning.

I know that many of the first Cambodian migrants to New Zealand arrived in extremely difficult circumstances, fleeing the Khmer Rouge, and I wish to acknowledge the terrible losses which I am sure are still deeply felt by many here today and your whānau.

Since the arrival of the first Cambodian migrants in the 1970s, the contributions of New Zealand’s Cambodian community continue to be seen and felt across our society. From performances of Cambodian music and dance at multicultural festivals, to the outstanding examples of Cambodian cuisine found in restaurants around the country – including, of course, the legendary Angkor Wat and Siam Reap here in Wellington: Cambodian culture touches and enriches New Zealand in so many ways.

As Governor-General, I am always especially moved by communities such as yours across the country, who take a deep sense of pride and joy in sharing your culture and traditions with your fellow New Zealanders. In doing so, you seem to me to embody to the words of the Buddha himself when he said: ‘Teach this triple truth to all: a generous heart, kind speech, and a life of service and compassion are the things which renew humanity.’

My thanks once again for hosting me here today – and I wish you all a very safe, happy, and prosperous year ahead.

Akhoun charan. Kia ora huihui tātou katoa.

Source: New Zealand Governor General

E nga mana, e nga reo, e nga iwi o te motu e huihui nei, tenei aku mihi 

I particularly acknowledge:

• Colonel Anthony Blythen, Commander Joint Support Group
• Honorary Colonel Maree Sheard; and 
• Lieutenant Colonel Dave Foote, Chief Nursing Officer

A very warm welcome to nurses of the Royal New Zealand Army Nursing Corps, past and present.

As your Commander-in-Chief, I am delighted to host this celebration of Corps Day and to acknowledge the contribution of the Corps in our nation’s military history.

In the First World War, one of my predecessors, Lord Liverpool took great interest in the New Zealand hospital ship Maheno and expressed amazement that ‘women were able to work so constantly and at such high pressure’.

Such attributes would not be surprising to the women and men of today’s Army Nursing Corps, who have built on the reputation for efficiency and professionalism established by your forebears in the First World War’s Army Nursing Service.

Their experiences included extraordinary stories of fortitude in the face of punishing workloads, enemy shelling, and extremes of heat and cold. Some lost their lives, including ten when the transport ship Marquette was torpedoed.

The stories of our First World War nurses are still being uncovered by historians, and deserve to be more widely known. 

To mention one such example: Nurse Ethel Lewis served in Belgium before going to Serbia, where she was wounded in the trenches and was honoured by the King of Serbia for rescuing a high-ranking officer.

Newspapers here reported Nurse Lewis’s efforts to save the lives of Serbian wounded from approaching enemy forces.  The hospital was evacuated and the transport vehicles carrying the patients broke down. The only option was to continue on foot up through snowy mountain passes. 

Nurse Lewis had a nickname – Little Sister – because she was only 150 centimetres tall. That didn’t stop her from carrying a wounded soldier on her back for two miles.

When she returned home on furlough to Otaki, the shops and schools were closed in her honour and the whole town turned out to meet her at the railway station. She was met with ‘rousing cheers’ and ‘deluged with flowers’. 

In his speech to the crowd, the Chairman of the Patriotic Society said Nurse Lewis had passed through trials and hardships enough to kill many a strong man, yet ‘this frail little woman had been spared to return to them, looking fit and as well as she ever did’. Nurse Lewis could have chosen to take things quietly at that point, but she returned to the UK and served with the Army Nursing Service until the end of the War.

There will be many more recent stories to tell about the distinguished services provided by the Royal Army Nursing Corps, and no doubt we will hear some tonight.

Nurse Lewis exemplified the army nurse ethos to protect patient welfare at all costs – as well as the resourcefulness and adaptability required when deployment takes a nurse into less than ideal situations.

I imagine there must be great satisfaction in having the skills to care for patients effectively, no matter where you are. Equally I imagine there will be times when the circumstances of your work is distressing and takes a psychological toll, especially when you are far from the support of family and friends.

Most recently, the demands put on your services in responding to Cyclone Gabrielle and the COVID-19 pandemic must have been particularly challenging, and I want to take this opportunity to acknowledge the role played by Colonel Anthony Blythen in establishing the Defence Force’s strategic COVID-19 response.

I am pleased to be able to assist you in observing Corps Day this year, and thereby providing appropriate acknowledgement of the contributions of departing leaders, and the arrival of new members of the Corps.

On behalf of my fellow New Zealanders, I thank you all for choosing to serve your country in this way, and I wish the Corps all the very best in the years to come.

Tonight is your night, and so I invite you please to relax and enjoy the hospitality of the House.

 

Source: New Zealand Governor General

Rau rangatira mā, e huihui nei, tēnei aku mihi nui ki a koutou. Nau mai haere mai ki Te Whare Kawana o Te Whanganui-a-Tara. Kia ora tātou katoa. 

It’s my great pleasure to welcome you all to Government House Wellington. I specifically acknowledge: Her Worship Tory Whanau, Mayor of Wellington; Her Worship Janet Holborow, Mayor of the Kāpiti Coast District Council; Mr John Pearson, Deputy British High Commissioner; Angela Green, Executive Director of the Aotearoa New Zealand Festival of the Arts; Sarah Kemp, Chair of the Tāwhiri Board; Mere Boynton, Director Ngā Toi Māori; and Ben Ngaia, Kaumātua on behalf of Tāwhiri. Tēnā koutou katoa.

As Governor-General, and patron of the Aotearoa New Zealand Festival of the Arts, I’m so pleased to have this opportunity to celebrate the success of these past four weeks, and to acknowledge all those who have made this event possible.

Wellington is a city that has long held the mantle of New Zealand’s cultural capital. However, there has been a particular, additional magic in the air over this past month.

Dr Davies and I had the great pleasure of attending a number of events on the Festival programme. We went to see Sounds of the Sanctuary: a magical evening of music presented by the New Zealand String Quartet, set in the beautiful surroundings of Zealandia. We also went to see one of my favourite authors, Anne Enright, speak on the power of love and literature.

Dr Davies also attended the Magic of Movement writing workshop with Rachel Davies, heard the brilliant Damon Salesa speak on the human history of the Pacific Ocean, as well as Lynn Davidson discuss the art of memoir.

Despite our best efforts, between the two of us, we barely scratched the surface of what was an extraordinary programme: both in terms of the number of events, but also their range and diversity.

The Aotearoa New Zealand Festival of the Arts has brought together some of the very finest writers, dancers, comedians, musicians, and artists from around New Zealand and across the world: from The National playing to a packed-out TSB Arena, to Moment Factory’s Light Cycles, brilliantly illuminating the Wellington Botanical Gardens in ways never seen before.

As some of you may know, I come from a career that has straddled both academia and the public service – and I understand what a fraught thing it can be to discuss the “value” of the arts. I think few have answered the question more concisely than the great German playwright Bertolt Brecht, who said that: ‘All artforms are in the service of the greatest of all arts: the art of living.’

The arts enhance all of our lives by helping us to see the beauty of the world around us, by attuning our powers of observation and expression, and by giving us a stronger sense of identity and self. The arts also strengthen our capacity for empathy, and our ability to consider the world from another’s perspective.

As British author Jeanette Winterson puts it so well: ‘What art does is to coax us away from the mechanical and toward the miraculous… Art asks us to think differently, see differently, hear differently, and ultimately to act differently, which is why art has moral force.’ 

At a time where we might feel overwhelmed by the events in the world around us, the arts remain a place of comfort, and a source of wisdom and guidance – a place where we can remind ourselves of the goodness in the world and each other.

As those in this room know better than any, the arts cannot and do not happen in a vacuum. They require the support of those artists who put so much of themselves into their work, as well as the spaces where those artists can perform and share that work. In short, the arts require the hard work, commitment, and selflessness of the sorts of generous and visionary people here this evening.

I know that this Festival is the result of over two years of planning and preparation – and it is a testament to the Festival organisers and sponsors, as well as so many brilliant artists and performers, that it has been such a great success. Through your work, generosity, and inspiration, you have given audiences members across Wellington experiences they will never forget. 

My sincere thanks and congratulations once again to Angela and your team for pulling together this wonderful event – and above all, for your steadfast belief in and love of the arts. 

Kia ora 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.

 

I specifically acknowledge

 

• Hon Simon Watts (Minister for Climate Change)
• Hon James Shaw
• Hon Marama Davidson 
• Hon Priyanca Radhakrishnan
• Hon Rachel Brooking
• Hon Eugenie Sage
• Dame Anne Salmond
• Nicola Toki, Kate Graeme, and Jessica Lamb of Forest and Bird; and 
• Joan Leckie, QSM, Distinguished Life Member

 

It’s my great privilege to host this celebration to mark 100 years of Forest and Bird in Aotearoa New Zealand.

A centennial year is a time to look back and acknowledge key moments in history, and shortly Nicola will outline the many achievements of Forest and Bird over that time. 

For my part, I will take a moment to highlight just a few of the vice-regal contributions to conservation in Aotearoa. 

In the 1890s, Governor Onslow lobbied for the protection of plants and animals, and persuaded the Government to add the huia to a small list of protected birds. He also named his baby son Huia. 

In 1914, Lord and Lady Liverpool became patrons of an early version of Forest and Bird, and Lord Bledisloe became Patron in 1930. He liked to speak at some length about New Zealand native plants he recommended for home gardens, at a time when such ideas were not at all fashionable.

Long after he left office, Lord Bledisloe continued to act as an Honorary Vice President of Forest and Bird, and in 1947, he spoke out in support of the preservation of Waipoua Forest. 

Our first New Zealand-born Governor-General, Sir Arthur Porritt was the son of a Forest and Bird Vice-President, Ernest Porritt. 

Sir Arthur’s son Jonathon developed an interest in the environment during his father’s term of office in Aotearoa. Sir Jonathon has been honoured for his many distinguished services to environmental protection in the UK, and is co-Patron, with me, of the Aotearoa Circle.

I am proud to continue the vice-regal patronage of Forest and Bird, and on behalf of my fellow New Zealanders, I thank everyone involved for your work to safeguard and improve the wellbeing of our whenua, moana, flora and fauna. 

Here at Government House, we are fortunate to see tangible benefits of Forest and Bird initiatives. Our staff can recall the days when possums would get into the House through open windows and wreck havoc. Native birds were a rare sight in the grounds. 

Thanks to predator control, and the work of Jim and Eve Lynch of Forest and Bird to establish Zealandia, we now enjoy native birdsong and the wonderful antics of tui, kereru and kaka.  

New Zealanders owe a debt of gratitude to Forest and Bird for working to establish a network of sanctuaries in Aotearoa, where fragile ecosystems have a chance to recover, and our birds can re-establish themselves. 

In the 1920s, Forest and Bird’s founder, Val Sanderson campaigned against the deforestation of hill country, in order to halt erosion, silting of rivers, and flooding. The destruction of our forests by deer was another great concern of his.

A hundred years later, those threats to our forests are still on the Forest and Bird agenda – and the scope of advocacy has broadened over the years to include the protection of endangered species and the wellbeing of our oceans and sea-life.

Val Sanderson would have been gratified to see the granting of Royal patronage in the 1960s, and to witness the lifetime of environmental advocacy by His Majesty King Charles, who has worked tirelessly to raise awareness of the existential threats posed by biodiversity loss, environmental degradation and the climate crisis.

New Zealanders increasingly share His Majesty’s concerns, as well as His Majesty’s high regard for the natural world. Even though we are mostly urban dwellers, our souls are nourished when we can touch base with our bush, mountains, rivers and beaches – and hear our birds welcoming the dawn of a new day. 

In te Ao Māori, human beings are an integral part of natural world, and awa and maunga are central to identity. The concept of kaitiakitanga – that we are merely temporary guardians of our natural world, charged with leaving it in better shape than we found it – increasingly resonates with New Zealanders. The kaupapa of Forest and Bird has played a part in developing that consciousness.

It’s not surprising that many thousands of New Zealanders – from all walks of life – and from all political persuasions – have welcomed the opportunities Forest and Bird provides to become involved in preserving our precious natural heritage.

From its beginnings, it has been an effective vehicle for citizen action, providing opportunities to do what we can to improve the wellbeing of our environment, whether it be raising seedlings, restoring wetlands, planting a riverbank, removing invasive plants, setting traps, helping out at a reserve, choosing to buy sustainable fish for dinner, or petitioning local and central government.

At a time when the sheer scale of our ecological challenges can seem overwhelming, the history of Forest and Bird gives New Zealanders hope, agency, and confidence that we can achieve more than we previously thought possible. 

Individuals and communities have been empowered by a shared vision to work for something bigger than their own back-yards, and have left a bequest for their descendants that they can be proud of. 

The wins have not been quick or easy. Fortunately, Forest and Bird has a strong and loyal support base, and the generations of young New Zealanders in conservation clubs and youth hubs will ensure the mahi will continue.

It certainly helps when people like John Oliver choose to become involved. His invitation to bemused people in Paris, Mumbai, Tokyo, London and Ipanema to vote in the Bird of the Century campaign helped raise a substantial sum for Forest and Bird – and was great PR for citizen participation. 

I conclude tonight with the reflections of Scott Momaday, a Native American Pulitzer Prize winner:

“Those who came before me did not take for granted the world in which they lived… They touched the ground, the trees, the stones with respect and reverence. I believe that they imagined me before I was born, that they prepared the way for me, that they placed their faith and hope in me and in the generations that followed and will follow them. Will I give my children an inheritance of the earth? Or will I give them less than I was given?”

For one hundred years, Forest and Bird has invited New Zealanders to reflect on our responsibilities to the earth we have inherited – and our responsibilities to ensure that we give more than we were given. 

May you continue to fulfil that vital role, with good heart and resolve in the years to come.

No reira, tēna koutou, tēna koutou, tēna tatou 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.

I’d like to specifically acknowledge: Ms Peggy Burrows, Christchurch Business Club President; Mr Warren Head, Committee Member; and all members and guests here today – tēnā koutou katoa. Thank you for inviting me to join you, as some of Christchurch’s most esteemed business leaders, here this afternoon.

It’s wonderful to be back in Christchurch – this beautiful city, where I have many fond memories from my time spent here over the years. Some of my earliest and most vivid memories of being in Christchurch were during the South Pacific Festival of the Arts, where I performed in a kapa haka group during the opening ceremony. That was also the first time I had the honour of meeting Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Phillip.

Of course, as a young girl, I could never have imagined that I would one day have a private audience with Her Majesty, via Zoom, following my appointment as her Governor-General in 2021 – or that I would have the privilege of representing New Zealand at Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations, and, a few months later, her funeral at Westminster Abbey.

The Queen’s life and legacy continue to be a great inspiration to me in my role as Governor-General – as I’m sure they are to many. In her Christmas message from almost fifty years ago, Her Majesty said: ‘The context of the lives of the next generation is being set, here and now, not so much by the legacy of science or wealth or political structure that we shall leave behind us, but by the example of our attitudes and behaviour to one another, and by trying to show unselfish, loving, and creative concern for those less fortunate than ourselves.’ 

At a time of such feelings of unrest and uncertainty for so many, of such terrible conflict around the world, and where climate change continues to threaten the wellbeing of our planet for future generations, Her late Majesty’s words ring truer than ever. Regardless of our position in society, we each bear a real responsibility to seek out areas of common ground, to do the good we can in our communities, and to consider our impact on each other and our environment.

Yesterday, I had the great pleasure of hosting two investiture ceremonies at the Christchurch Town Hall. These are one of my greatest privileges as Governor-General – to acknowledge the work and service of New Zealanders around the country. I find such occasions, as well as occasions such as this, deeply heartening and inspiring: to meet New Zealanders who are responsible for so much good in our communities, for fostering a deep sense of national pride, and, in many cases, for bolstering our reputation internationally.

In my travels overseas as Governor-General – whether to the United Kingdom, the United Arab Emirates, Malaysia, South Korea, or across the Pacific – I can report that Aotearoa New Zealand is held in extraordinarily high regard. I am so proud to be an ambassador for our country – and I do believe that our small size and the essential goodwill and ingenuity of our people – people such as yourselves – enable us to be nimble and responsive to the challenges of our times.

As some of you may know, 11 March each year marks Commonwealth Day – an annual celebration of the unity of vision and common commitment to peace and justice shared by the Commonwealth of Nations – of which, of course, New Zealand is a proud and valued member. In his message marking Commonwealth Day, just over a week ago now, His Majesty King Charles III said: ‘Together and individually, we are strengthened by sharing perspectives and experiences, and by offering and borrowing the myriad ways we have each tackled the challenges of our time. This is true both at the level of nations and, indeed, at the local level.’

I hope that you all, as some of Christchurch’s most connected and committed business leaders, might take these words to heart, as this remarkable city continues along its path of transformation and growth – knowing how important the wellbeing and success of this city is for the wellbeing and success of New Zealand as a whole.

When I myself have visited Christchurch in recent years, I have greatly enjoyed seeing the changes to the built landscape of the city – as well as, of course, the wonderful hospitality that Christchurch has to offer. It’s very exciting, for instance, to see the progress on the new stadium, which I’m sure will play host to many a spectacular evening of sport and music in years to come.

I am well aware that some of the scars from the earthquakes will never heal – but every time I am back down in Christchurch, I am struck again by the feeling of energy and optimism here – no doubt shared by the proud Cantabrians in attendance tonight. 

I am looking forward to hearing about your hopes and aspirations for your city. I know that many of you in this room have significant roles to play in continuing to build and shape a thriving, modern Christchurch – and I wish to take this opportunity to commend you for your commitment to doing so: whether through providing employment opportunities, innovating on new ways to solve problems, or building a strong sense of community identity.

The importance of the role you each play in rebuilding and supporting this remarkable city, brings to mind the whakataukī: ‘Mahia te mahi hei painga mo te iwi. Do the work for the betterment of the people.’

My thanks once again for inviting me to join you today, and for all that you do. I wish you all the very best for the future. 

Kia ora 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.

Dame Kiri, Mr Kevin Foulcer, all your friends and family – tēnā koutou katoa. I am honoured to host this evening’s celebration of Dame Kiri’s 80th birthday, and to welcome you all here to Government House Auckland. 

I also wish to acknowledge all our other distinguished guests in attendance – including from the Kiri Te Kanawa Foundation – and some of whom I know have travelled some distance to be here for this very special occasion. 

The tributes made to Dame Kiri over these past weeks have shown how profoundly your life and achievements have touched so many across Aotearoa and around the world.

It was the longtime and deeply beloved American broadcaster Fred Rogers who said: ‘The thing I remember best about the successful people I’ve met over the years, is their obvious delight in what they’re doing, which seems to have very little to do with worldly success. They simply love what they’re doing, and they love it in front of others.’

I can think of few who better embody this sentiment than Dame Kiri. To witness one of Dame Kiri’s performances is to know that you are in the presence of a true master: an artist who is capable of conveying the most profound emotions through performance, and who takes great joy in sharing that gift with her audiences.

To list Dame Kiri’s achievements would take much longer than I have, but I do wish to name a few. Her talent identified from a young age, Dame Kiri left her home of Gisborne at the age of 12 to train in Auckland under the legendary tutelage of Sister Mary Leo. By the time she was 20, Dame Kiri had won all the major vocal prizes in the South Pacific.

Showing immense courage, and with little support around her, Dame Kiri moved to England to begin the next stage of her formal training. With her debut performance in Figaro at the Royal Opera House, a star was born. In the years that followed, she would sing with all of the world’s most acclaimed orchestras and conductors, across the world’s most famous stages – captivating and moving audiences as she went.

Dame Kiri would be appointed a Dame Commander of the British Empire, invested with the Order of Australia, and conferred with honorary doctorates from universities around the world. Back home, she became a member of the Order of New Zealand – New Zealand’s highest civilian honour – and was named Iconic New Zealander of the Year.

Few will forget Dame Kiri’s beautiful performance of Pokarekare Ana as the sun rose for the first time into the new millennium. However, it was Dame Kiri’s performance at the wedding of Prince Charles and Lady Diana, to a viewing audience of over 600 million, that has become indelibly etched in New Zealand’s history – and remains, I would argue, this country’s most famous vocal performance. 

To achieve such remarkable success over such a sustained period is only possible through the kind of extraordinary hard work, discipline, and sacrifice few of us can imagine: countless hours of focused training and meticulous preparation, and the utmost care given to physical and emotional wellbeing.

However, Dame Kiri’s gift goes beyond her technical mastery, rigorous discipline, and unique vocal quality. It is my belief that you cannot be a truly great artist without also being a great person. The fullness, intensity, and generosity with which Dame Kiri has lived her life, emanates in your performances over the years, and has cemented your status as a true New Zealand icon.

Throughout Dame Kiri’s life and career, you have always known that you elevate your art by first elevating those around you. We see that legacy continued in your commitment to nurturing the next generation of singing talent through the Kiri Te Kanawa Foundation – underscoring your own generosity and clear understanding that talent alone, without support and encouragement, can only go so far. 

When I think of Dame Kiri, your remarkable life and career, and the legacy you have created, I think of the words of the late Dr Piri Sciascia: ‘He toi whakairo, he mana tangata. Where there is artistic excellence, there is human dignity.’ 

As Governor-General, on behalf of all New Zealanders, I wish to thank you, Dame Kiri, for all that you’ve done for our country: for making us so proud. I wish you many happy returns.

Kia ora 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.

 

A warm welcome to you all, and I specifically acknowledge 

• Michelle Blau, General Manager of Fair Food, and
• Aroha Hudson, Chief Executive of HealthWest

In my message to UN Women Aotearoa to mark International Women’s Day this year, I made particular mention of their assistance to women in crisis around the world.

Today, I am very pleased to mark International Women’s Day with wāhine of Tāmaki Makaurau, and to acknowledge the help you give to people living in crisis situations in this region.

Kindness can sometimes seem like an under-rated virtue, but this whakatauki would suggest otherwise:

He taonga rongonui te aroha ki te tangata – goodwill towards others is a precious treasure.

However, we know kind regard is not enough. What matters are kind deeds. 

I am not surprised Fair Food has its origins in West Auckland. Having grown up there – with some of you who are here today – I remember people who worked tirelessly to make things better for other people in their community. 

When they saw a societal need, they didn’t sit back and wait until things got better. They got stuck in and did something about it.

Food rescue groups around Aotearoa were started in the same way, by people who couldn’t sit by and do nothing about food insecurity. 

What makes your kaupapa so special is that in addition to extending manaakitanga to people who can’t feed themselves and their families, you have also diverted so much food from landfills.

It’s a kaupapa that absolutely aligns with my own strategic goals while I am Governor-General: to do what I can to promote the wellbeing of my fellow citizens and the environment; to celebrate our diversity and our common humanity; and to promote the pursuit of expert knowledge, so that our decision-making is informed and effective.

I know from my visit to Fair Food last year what a complex logistical operation it is. It cannot function without food donors, funders, supporters, volunteers and staff members, or the partner organisations that distribute the food in the community. You all play a vital part in supporting Fair Food’s operations.

It must be very satisfying to know that the many tons of food you have rescued over the years have nourished so many thousands of people across Tamaki Makaurau. 

I understand there are plans to make sure mothers have a special meal on Mothers’ Day, particularly those who may often go without in order to feed their children. I am sure it’s a gesture that will be very much appreciated. 

This afternoon, I hope you can step aside from your routine responsibilities and enjoy connecting with other wāhine who have become part of the Fair Food story. 

On International Women’s Day, when we take time to celebrate the strength, contributions and achievements of women in our communities, I thank you again for your aroha, your commitment, and the positive impact of your work on the lives of your fellow New Zealanders – and on the environment that sustains us all. 

I realise you may be much more comfortable extending manaakitanga than being on the receiving end – but today is your day. 

Please enjoy the hospitality of Government House, and I look forward to meeting you all shortly.

 

 

 

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: Hon Karen Chhour Minister for Children; Hon Matt Doocey, Minister for Youth; Arran Jones, Chief Executive, Independant Children’s Monitor; Dr Claire Achmad, Chief Children’s Commissioner, Children and Young People’s Commission.

My warmest welcome to everyone here today. This event is a highlight in the Government House calendar, and it’s a great privilege to host the recipients of this year’s Excellence in Foster Care Awards.

I welcome this opportunity to recognise selfless caregivers, our unsung heroes, who see children in need and give them a chance to heal and experience a secure and supportive home environment.

It’s a sad reality that children have absolutely no control over the circumstances of their birth, home life and upbringing – and when those circumstances are difficult, they live with the lasting impacts into their adult years.

Thanks to the Dunedin Longitudinal Study, we now have clear proof of those impacts. 

The Study has been closely monitoring the progress of a group of people, from their birth in Dunedin 50 years ago through to the present day. 

An extraordinary wealth of data has been gathered. It shows clear links between deprivation in childhood and poor outcomes in neurological development, education, employment, relationships, and physical and mental health. These outcomes are tragic for the individuals concerned, and they also come at great social and economic cost to our communities.

Fortunately, we also know that positive intervention in childhood can and does make a difference. 

I know this from my professional experience as a health researcher and former Children’s Commissioner. And now as Governor-General, I see evidence of it through my engagement with schools, social agencies and communities.

Last year, a young man I was interviewing for selection as a Rhodes Scholar made a particular point of crediting his foster parents for his confidence and success in life. The kindness and support he experienced in their home has encouraged him to be an outstanding scholar, as well as a passionate advocate for children in care. 

Today we will have an opportunity to hear stories of years of devotion and commitment to excellence in foster care.

These stories can only scratch the surface, but they give some indication of the aroha and manaakitanga extended to the children in their care. 

As a society, we are indeed fortunate to have such good people who are prepared to take on the 24/7 duty of care for a child, and all the responsibilities that entails. I acknowledge some children will arrive with complex issues, and not every story can have a happy ending. Nevertheless, these caregivers will have done their very best to empower children to become more secure, confident and hopeful for their future. 

I thank you, on behalf of all New Zealanders, for choosing to take that path in your lives. Thank you for healing hurt, for building esteem, for helping children make meaningful connections, and bringing the possibility of joy and hope to their lives.  

Please enjoy this special time in Wellington, and this rare break from your responsibilities. You justly deserve the recognition you are receiving today. I am delighted to be able to acknowledge your humanity, compassion and care, and to extend Government House manaakitanga to you.

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

Source: New Zealand Governor General

Ko ‘te amorangi ki mua’
Ko ‘te hāpai ō ki muri’
Tuatahi ki te Atua, 
koia te tīmatanga,koia ano te whakamutunga
o ngā mea katoa.

Tātai whetū ki te rangi, 
mau tonu, mau tonu
tātai tangata ki te whenua,
ngaro noa, ngaro noa. 

Ka hoki mai ki te mata ora
tatou kua hui mai nei
tēnā koutou
tēnā koutou
tēnā koutou katoa.

As the 22nd Governor-General of Aotearoa New Zealand and first wāhine Māori from Te Tai Tokerau in this role, it is a privilege to join you all today in Te Whare Rūnanga, where we gather to acknowledge the mana of Te Tiriti o Waitangi, the Treaty of Waitangi.

I salute the memory of Sir Apirana Ngata and his parliamentary colleague Tau Henare, who played such an important role in the construction of this whare for the 1940 centenary of the signing of Te Tiriti. 

Te Whare Runanga is a lasting testament to their vision of kotahitanga for iwi Māori, and the outstanding leadership that enabled them to bring this ambitious national project to fruition.

It embodies the whakatauki: ‘He whenua rangatiratanga nga rangatira he mahi.’

Just as a papa noho – the decking linking two hulls of a waka hourua – provides strength and stability in the face of ocean swells and storms – Te Tiriti connects the dual signatories, giving us our place to stand together, survey the horizon and plot our course in our search for safe harbour.

In this way, Te Tiriti acknowledges and respects difference, while encouraging the spirit of kotahitanga advocated by Dame Whina Cooper when she said: ‘The seed I would like to plant in your heart is a vision of Aotearoa where all our people can live together and share the wisdom from each culture.’

The possibilities are here to broaden and strengthen kotahitanga across Aotearoa. The ability to realise those possibilities rests within us all – in our hearts, heads and hands. 

One of my predecessors, Sir Paul Reeves recalled feeling obliged to ‘shape up and perform for the Treaty’ when he came to Waitangi, and he didn’t shy away from that challenge.

As he said, we don’t have to be the same, but we should be able to understand each other.

Here at Waitangi, we come to tautoko, connect, listen and learn, so that we too can shape up, perform and deliver – for our fellow citizens and for the mahi that lies ahead of us. 

Ko te kōrero a Tā Himi: ‘Kua nui rawa te haere whakamua e kore e taea te hoki whakamuri.’

No reira, e āku rangatira, nga mihi nui ki a koutou.

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: John Luxton, Samaritans Aotearoa Board Chair; and Allan Frost and Christina Sit Yee, Samaritans Wellington Board Co-Chairs.

Throughout my term as Governor-General, I am taking opportunities to acknowledge and support people who care for the physical and mental wellbeing of our citizens.

This focus reflects my professional and academic background in health, and my belief that we all bear a responsibility to uphold the mana of others.

We are fortunate to be living at a time when there are fewer taboos in discussion about issues such as mental health, gender, and sexual orientation. However, I think you will agree we need to make further progress.

We look forward to the time when people will be able to freely discuss such issues, without fear of adverse societal repercussions.

It is hardly surprising we are seeing increasing incidences of anxiety and depression, with global pandemics, the climate crisis, the breakdown of social cohesion and economic stresses all taking a toll on our wellbeing.

As more people feel emboldened to speak up about their mental health, so too are we becoming more aware of the prevalence of these issues in our communities.

Our last census revealed over a quarter of New Zealanders reported poor mental wellbeing/

I imagine Samaritans is the first port of call for many of those people who are experiencing distress. I am not surprised there is high demand for the opportunity to speak to an empathetic listener.

By just being there, at the end of the phone line, Samaritans offer comfort and relief from isolation. We find strength through such human connections.

The whakataukī says: ‘Ki te Kotahi te kakaho, ka whati, ki te kapuia, e kore e whati. If a reed stands alone, it can be broken. If it is in a group, it cannot be broken.’

I appreciate there must be some challenging moments for Samaritan volunteers. At the same time, you will all have great memories of callers who have been deeply appreciative of your compassion and engagement.

Thank you for taking the time to hone your listening skills – and for your patience, focus, and understanding. Thank you for choosing to devote precious time and energy to your fellow citizens, often on top of demanding day jobs and family responsibilities.

So much good that happens in our communities depends on the generosity and goodwill of people such as yourselves – people who are not seeking accolades and for whom the work is the reward.

I must also acknowledge the people who are working behind the scenes, whether it be to raise the necessary funding, or recruit and train volunteers.

And, of course, we must not forget the vital support and encouragement provided by the partners of volunteers.

I am delighted our final event at Government House this year should be with people who dedicate themselves to helping others navigate their way through life’s more challenging moments.

I am well aware we are approaching a time in the year when your services may be very much in demand. The summer holidays can be distressing for individuals who find themselves alone and dislocated – or unable to meet the expectations of happy family reunions.

By listening to people who are desperate to be heard, you will help them get through this difficult time.

Tonight, I hope you can take time for yourselves, relax, and enjoy the hospitality of the House – and I wish you all the very best for your work in the months ahead.

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