Rural Women and Plunket luncheon

May 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 afternoon (Sign)

May I specifically greet you: Isabel Thomas, Chair of the Middlemarch branch of Rural Women New Zealand; Jody Tisdall, President of the Middlemarch branch of the Royal New Zealand Plunket Society; Pat Macaulay, Regional Director of Rural Women New Zealand ; Barry Williams, Chair of the Strath Taieri Community Board; Kate Wilson, a  Dunedin City councillor representing the Mosgiel-Taieri ward; Distinguished Guests otherwise; Ladies and Gentlemen. 

It is with pleasure that my wife Susan and I join you for this joint luncheon of Rural Women and the Plunket Society here in Middlemarch.

The Governor-General role carries with it invitations to be Patron of a significant number of New Zealand organisations and charities.

Since starting off in August 2006, Susan and I have agreed to be the Patrons, either singly or together, of more than 150 voluntary, community, sporting and service groups throughout New Zealand. 

There are many, many requests and a number fall to be declined politely.  But two that we readily accepted were from Rural Women New Zealand and the Royal New Zealand Plunket Society. 

As Patron of Rural Women, Susan has been a keen supporter of its activities.  She has addressed its 2008 Conference in Blenheim and its 2009 Conference in Wellington as well as recently speaking to a provincial meeting in the Hawke's Bay.

As to Plunket, aside from patronage, all our three children were Plunket babies.  Susan also was actively involved in the organisation, serving as President of the Rose Road Branch of Plunket and Vice-President of Auckland Plunket.  In this role we have been at Plunket National Conferences and things such as garden receptions and the opening of the new Canterbury Plunket Centre in Christchurch last year.

But what unites both groups-apart from vice-regal patronage-is the unwavering work and support you provide for families and children.  While there are differences in each organisation's approach and services, both have made families a key focus and priority.

The family is the fundamental unit of our society.  If our families are strong, then so too will our society be strong.

Indeed, I have often thought one of the strengths of the New Zealand agricultural sector has been its firm foundation on farming families.   Family as ownership has, for example, helped create a growing respect for the land that transcends annual financial rewards, important as they are for our economy. 

The reality of our fast-paced and changing world is that some families need support, and some more than others.  While it is easy to highlight failings in society and families, I remained convinced that the core of New Zealand family life is strong and vibrant.  As former Waikato University Vice-Chancellor, and one-time British Member of Parliament, Professor Bryan Gould once wrote: "Everyone should have a New Zealand childhood."
 
Ensuring that everyone has the opportunity of a New Zealand childhood is made possible through the valuable work of organisations like Rural Women and Plunket. 

The work of a core of hardworking professional staff in both organisations is underpinned by countless hours of work by volunteers, running local programmes, and fundraising for regional and national causes. 

The spirit of volunteerism is the glue that holds our society and economy together.  For example, I understand Rural Women has been publishing a community newsletter, supported by the local Lions Club for 28 years.  The Taieri Pet is one way of keeping people in touch and helps people new to the district find their feet.

I sometimes think New Zealanders don't realise that our health, education and social service sectors would grind to a halt without the countless hours of voluntary work many people provide. 

Voluntary work has its own intrinsic benefits-making friends and satisfactory work-and it also adds strength to our wider communities.

In conclusion, I want to again thank you all for your service to the community and your ongoing commitment to making New Zealand a better place.

And on that note 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.