Royal New Zealand Navy Divisions

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I begin by greeting everyone in the languages of the realm of New Zealand, in English, Māori, Cook Island Māori, Niuean, Tokelauan and New Zealand Sign Language. Greetings, Kia Ora, Kia Orana, Fakalofa Lahi Atu, Taloha Ni and as it is the morning (Sign).

I then specifically greet you: Lieutenant General Jerry Mateparae and Rear Admiral Jack Steer, Chief and Vice Chief respectively of the New Zealand Defence Force; Rear Admiral Tony Parr and Commodore Bruce Pepperell, Chief and Deputy Chief respectively of the Royal New Zealand Navy; Commodore Ross Smith, Maritime Component Commander; Brigadier Dave Gawn, Land Component Commander; Air Commodore Gavin Howse, Deputy Chief of Air Force;  Air Commodore Steve Moore, Air Component Commander; Officers and men and women of the Royal New Zealand Navy; Veterans; Distinguished Guests otherwise; Ladies and Gentlemen. 

As our time at Government House concludes in August, this will be the last time my wife Susan and I will have the opportunity to see the Royal New Zealand Navy on parade in the Governor-General role. It is an honour to be here this morning in that regard.

Navy Divisions is an opportunity to acknowledge the work of the Navy as a whole, as well as the exceptional efforts of a few. It is also an opportunity for you all to join together in an annual tradition that promotes the renowned camaraderie and spirit of the Royal New Zealand Navy.

Shortly, I will present a number of awards recognising excellence.  Before doing so I would like to comment on a number of significant events that lie ahead for the Defence Force in 2011, and the vital role the Navy has played in the maritime component of New Zealand’s defence, both historically and for now.

As Commander-in-Chief of the New Zealand Defence Force, I have had the pleasure of many varied interactions with the three services. Notably, I have enjoyed carrying out the duty of Reviewing Officer at every Navy Divisions ceremony during my term, with this year’s Divisions ending that chapter.

Susan has had the particular pleasure of being Lady Sponsor of one of the new Inshore Patrol Vessels, HMNZS Taupo, and, speaking on her behalf, I can confirm that it has been a role she has expressly enjoyed.

Last month we undertook a visit to New Zealand’s sub-Antarctic islands with the Royal New Zealand Navy aboard the new Offshore Patrol Vessels, HMNZS Otago, and HMNZS Wellington. It was worthy of note that 2011 marks the first year that all the new Navy ships, which have been phased in during a two-year period, are fully operational and on task.

I offer congratulations on that milestone and know that their addition to the fleet will be of considerable benefit to New Zealand’s maritime defence and wider strategic interests.

It is important to acknowledge that today’s ceremony is the last formal engagement that Lieutenant General Jerry Mateparae will attend as Chief of the New Zealand Defence Force prior to relinquishing command on 24 January when the command will be handed to Major General Rhys Jones, currently Chief of Army, at a ceremony at Government House in Auckland.

I also note that, in February, after more than three years as Deputy Chief of Navy, Commodore Bruce Pepperell is to retire and, in that regard, acknowledgment and thanks are due to Commodore Pepperell for the dedication and skill he has demonstrated since first joining the Navy in 1975.

2011 marks the 70th Anniversary of the Royal New Zealand Navy. I understand that commemoration activities are planned for the first week of October, and include the changing of the new Queen’s Colour, and a Fleet Review in Wellington Harbour.

Seventy years ago, in September 1941, King George VI gave approval for the New Zealand Division of the Royal Navy to be known as the Royal New Zealand Navy. 

However, as will be known, the Navy’s presence and service, in this country’s waters, dates back to the 1800s and in 1913 the New Zealand Government passed the Naval Defence Act to prepare a naval organisation to man ships employed in New Zealand waters.

Since that time, the Navy has played an important role, in wartime, and significantly, in peacetime. Disaster relief has been an important and vital service provided in our country, and for our neighbours.

That service is demonstrated in present times with examples such as the Navy dive team conducting specialist underwater searches to assist the Police. In an international context, the Navy, along with the wider Defence Force, has provided assistance in the Pacific for humanitarian emergencies such as the Princess Ashika ferry tragedy in Tonga, the destructive cyclones in the Cook Islands and Fiji, and the tsunami in the Pacific which caused massive devastation and loss of life in both Samoa and Tonga. 

The exceptional peacetime service that the Navy has provided over the course of its history is no better illustrated by the contributions of the Navy following the Hawke’s Bay earthquake, 80 years ago.

That earthquake, on the morning of 3 February 1931, measured 7.8 on the Richter scale. More than 250 people died and the region was left in smouldering chaos.

HMS Veronica was alongside at Napier on 3 February 1931 when the major earthquake struck. The ship immediately landed personnel to provide medical assistance and to take a major part in the relief work. The following day, HMS Dunedin and HMS Diomede arrived, each with a complement of 450 men, and began work to rescue and provide vital assistance to the affected people.

Loaded up with surgical and medical stores, an X-ray plant, stretchers, marquees, tents, blankets, beds, ground sheets, shovels and picks, the men set ashore to begin their work.

One of the heart-rendering tasks undertaken by the Navy was the clearing of the hospital and the nurses home, both of which had collapsed, burying patients and nurses. Many of the nurses who had been on the night shift were asleep when the earthquake struck and were trapped in their beds. 

After ten days of service, a good basis for recovery was in place and the Navy handed over the relief work to others. Light had been restored, water mains repaired, bridges repaired and communication with the outside world fully established. 

On April 27, 1931, a motion was moved in Parliament by the then Prime Minister, Rt Hon George Forbes, issuing all New Zealander’s thanks to the Navy for its work. Quoting directly from the House transcript that day, Prime Minister said as follows:-

“The very presence of this efficient unit, with its wonderful organization, and the fact that it was able to function immediately, did a very great deal to restore the equilibrium of the people, and in the way the example of the naval men was of inestimable value at that critical time…[T]he work done by the officers and men of the New Zealand Division of the British Navy in connection with the Hawke’s Bay earthquake stands to their credit and is in accordance with the very fine tradition of that service.”

The values of that earlier generation, of those who served on Veronica, Dunedin, Diomede, and many other ships, remains a hallmark. The Navy and naval personnel play an important role in peacekeeping and fulfilling the maritime component of New Zealand's defence. The commitment that everyone present has been asked to make the RNZN the best small nation Navy in the world, was recognised in November 2009, when the Navy was awarded a rare Gold Award in the New Zealand Business Excellence Awards.

As Governor-General and Commander-in-Chief I wish to add my thanks for your dedication to your work, and to upholding the values of those who have gone before you.

This then brings me to the presentations of a number of awards for outstanding achievement and commitment.

But before I do, I will close in New Zealand’s first language Māori, by offering everyone greetings and wishing you all good health and fortitude in your endeavours.  No reira, tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou, kia ora, kia kaha, tēnā koutou katoa.