Franklin: The Centre Opening Ceremony

Ladies and Gentlemen, I greet you in the languages of the realm of New Zealand - English, Maori, Cook Island Maori, Niuean, Tokelauan and Sign Language.

Greetings, Kia Ora, Kia Orana, Fakalofa Lahi Atu, Taloha Ni and (Sign)

Specifically I greet you: Mayor of Franklin District, Mark Ball; Minister for Auckland Issues, Hon. Judith Tizard; Member of Parliament for Port Waikato, Paul Hutchinson; Franklin Library Trust Chairman, Bob Bettison; Franklin Arts and Cultural Trust Chairman, David Grover and New Zealand Steel President, Bill Jacob.

Thank you for your invitation to formally open Franklin: The Centre.

I am speaking with you today both as Governor-General and as a long-time Auckland resident and someone whose former careers provided an association with this area. It is a pleasure to be back in the FranklinDistrict.

I was last here in February for the launch of, now sadly, the late Uka Chhiba's book Indians in Pukekohe which traced the successes and challenges of the Indian community in Pukekohe. 

While that event was an opportunity to reflect on the contribution of one of FranklinDistrict's long-standing ethnic groups and one industry, today there is the involvement of the whole of the Franklin community, and the collaboration of many organisations, businesses and individuals who have made Franklin: The Centre possible.

Today is also a good waypoint to reflect on the history and growing multiculturalism of Franklin.  The first display in the new art gallery is a photographic exhibition of the history of Franklin.

Today this District is enjoying considerable population growth and, like the rest of New Zealand, this growth is driven in part by migration from overseas. Franklin is today a colourful, vibrant and culturally diverse district, home to communities with a broad international heritage. As such, it is something of a microcosm of wider New Zealand which is also encountering this shift.

I am advised that it was in response to this growth, and the evolving nature of Franklin's population, that in 2001 the Franklin Arts and Cultural Trust, Franklin Library Trust and Franklin District Council first proposed to expand their existing facilities. The two Trusts now share management of this new centre.

I am told this building is the largest civic building to be built in Franklin in the last 25 years and is certainly an impressive addition to the civic area, flanked by the Town Hall and old BoroughCouncilBuilding.

Perhaps more importantly however are the community resources contained within these walls.  The centre is home to the new Franklin Library, ArtGallery and Information Site, as well as a number of community meeting rooms, a recording facility and art studio.

The Centre will add to the sense of community within the diverse FranklinDistrict.

I would like to acknowledge the efforts of the Franklin Library Trust, Franklin Arts and Cultural Trust, Franklin District Council and the businesses, community groups and individuals who have contributed to this project. You have created a wonderful community resource, one that will contribute greatly to the spirit and good health of Franklin's many communities in the future.

I began speaking in all the New Zealand realm languages.  May I close by speaking in Maori issuing greetings and wishing you good health and fortitude in your endeavours.

No reira, tena koutou, tena koutou, kia ora, kia kaha, tena koutou katoa.