Strath Taieri School visit

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 morning (Sign)

May I specifically greet you: Donna Thomson, Chair of the Strath Taieri School Board of Trustees and your fellow trustees; Vicki McIntyre, Principal and your fellow staff; students, family and friends; Distinguished Guests otherwise; Ladies and Gentlemen. 

It is with great pleasure that my wife Susan and I have the opportunity to visit Strath Taieri School today. I would like to speak a little about the role I undertake as Governor-General and a little about your school and school in general.

I have brought with me a school set of a new Government House publication that explains a little of my role and will leave that for the library.  I understand that some of the teachers in the school have also used an educational resource from the Government House website. 

As you can probably tell from the way I speak, I am a New Zealander.  From the way I look, you can also probably tell I am of Indian origin. My grand parents from India migrated to Fiji and my parents were born in Fiji and moved to New Zealand and I was born in Auckland.

After going to school, I studied at university in Auckland and before working as a lawyer.  In 1982, I was appointed as a judge and in 1995 as an ombudsman. In 2006, I was appointed Governor-General.

The role of Governor-General has changed as New Zealand has changed.    In 1890 when your School opened, New Zealand was a British colony and the holder of my job was English.  He was called the Governor and his name was Sir William Onslow.  The Earl of Onslow was like all of New Zealand's Governors and Governors-General before him-and many who followed him-were either a military officer or a member of the British aristocracy. 

New Zealand is now a fully independent country and since 1967, all Governors-General have been New Zealanders and they have come from a number of backgrounds.   Including myself, four have been judges, one was a mayor, another a Prime Minister, one an archbishop, one was a diplomat and another a doctor.  One of those Governors-General was Māori and two were women, while I have both Asian and Pacific background. 

These changes show how New Zealand is changing.   Our country is becoming increasingly diverse, with people of many different cultures, religions and ethnicities living here.  

When travelling through New Zealand, I am often asked to explain my role.  To do so, I need to provide an explanation of how our system of government works.

I am sure that you may know that New Zealand is a monarchy, which means that our Head of State is Queen Elizabeth II.  Because she is in London, she needs someone based in New Zealand to represent her.  That person is the Governor-General.

New Zealand is also a democracy.  That means that the people of New Zealand elect their Members of Parliament.  The Prime Minister heads the Government because he or she is the MP able to lead Parliament because of having obtained the support of more than half of the Members present in it.  An important role of the Governor-General is to appoint the Prime Minister after an election.

Then there are other legal items.  When the Government in Parliament passes laws, the Governor-General signs them in the name of the Queen so they can become part of New Zealand's laws.  The Governor-General also signs other important documents appointing people to be Judges and Heads of Government Departments.   All of these legal things are called the Governor-General's constitutional role. 

The second part of the role is ceremonial. This means that the Governor-General represents the country at public ceremonies such as the opening of a new session of Parliament, the welcoming of visiting Heads of State and attending Waitangi Day and ANZAC Day events. 

The third part of the role is to do with community leadership.  This means visiting people and places throughout New Zealand attending celebrations and seeing things that people have done well.  This last aspect, the community role, is the part of my job that keeps both my wife Susan and I busy. It is also that part of the job which keeps us in touch with so many New Zealanders.

And it is what has brought me to Middlemarch and to your school.   I see it as a key part of my role to emphasise those things that positively unite us as New Zealanders rather than those things that divide us.

Education is such an important part of that.  Your teachers are not only giving you the skills to read, write and do long division, but how to understand the world around you.  Your school motto is "We care to learn, and learn to care" and education is the key that unlocks all your aspirations.

In particular, if I could stress one thing to you, it would be to read, read and read.   Never stop reading.  If sport and exercise keep the body fit, it is reading that keeps your brain fit and healthy.

How many here have read Dr Seuss' book, Green Eggs and Ham?  Well he also wrote another book called I Can Read With my Eyes Shut and in it he wrote something that talks about learning.  He wrote: "The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you'll go."

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.