New Zealander of the Year

Rau rangatira mā, e kui mā, e koro mā, kia ora, nga mihi o te po ki a koutou.  Distinguished leaders, ladies and gentlemen, good evening.  I specifically acknowledge Rt Hon Jim Bolger, Patron of the Awards, and His Worship Len Brown the Mayor of Auckland.

It’s a great delight for Janine and me to be here tonight.  The announcement of the Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year, and the other award category winners, makes for a special occasion.

It’s a special occasion because we recognise that most fundamental of national assets – our people.  The spirit that underpins the awards is well summarised by the often quoted: “He aha te mea nui o te ao - What is the most important thing in the world?  The answer is: he tangata, he tangata, he tangata - it is people, it is people, it is people!”

These awards honour people; the achievements of a small group of individuals, organisations and community groups that inspire us through their commitment, their hard work and their many achievements. 

As New Zealanders, we are somewhat reticent in celebrating our achievers and our achievements.  Fortunately, that is changing.  The example shown by the Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Trust, Ian Grant, Jim Morunga and Sam Judd rightly instils in us a sense of admiration, of unity and pride in being New Zealanders.  Their example makes them worthy mentors to our rangatahi, and role models to us all.

The finalists in the supreme New Zealander of the Year Award - Bill Buckley, Dame Anne Salmond and Professor Swee Tan - are inspirational and passionate New Zealanders who have strived for excellence and made remarkable contributions to our country.  

Their work – their mahi – and their contributions bring to mind the words of the 2011 New Zealander of the Year, the late Sir Paul Callaghan.  Sir Paul was a remarkable scientist and teacher, a remarkable communicator and, above all, a remarkable New Zealander.  He is sadly missed.

A few days before he passed away Sir Paul gave one last interview and he mused on why he chose to stay in New Zealand rather than take up one of the many lucrative offers he’d received from overseas.  He said:
“What greater sense of fulfilment can there be but to make a difference to the community in which you live.  It’s one of the reasons I wanted to come back and make my life here …. It’s hard to make a difference living in New York.  Here everything you contribute makes a visible difference.”

And so it gives me great pleasure to recognise a person who has been a contributor and made a visible difference to our country and people.  The 2013 New Zealander of the Year is Dame Anne Salmond.