State Dinner for the President of Hungary

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 evening (Sign)

May I specifically greet you: Your Excellencies, President László Sólyom, President of Hungary and fellow members of the Hungarian  Delegation; Your Excellency, Mr Gábor Csaba, Ambassador of Hungary to New Zealand; Distinguished Guests otherwise; Ladies and Gentlemen.

My wife Susan and I, welcome you to Government House in Auckland for this State Dinner.  To our Hungarian visitors, may I say: Isten hozta Új-Zélandon, nagyon sok szeretettel. Or Hello and welcome to New Zealand.

Your Excellency-I want first to register thanks for your visit to us in New Zealand.  My wife, Susan, and I have the privilege to declare that to you, on behalf of all New Zealanders.

When I accepted Mr Csaba's credentials as Ambassador of Hungary to New Zealand in December 2007, I reiterated the invitation, made by my predecessor, Dame Silvia Cartwright, in 2004 for the President of Hungary to visit New Zealand.  That you have been able to respond to that invitation at this time is most welcome.

Your Excellency, the relationship between our two countries is friendly, marked by warmth, familiarity and co-operation. 

I have noted that high-level bilateral visits have taken place on a regular basis, with the most recent New Zealand visitor to Hungary being the then Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon Margaret Wilson, last year.  As I have just mentioned, my predecessor, Dame Silvia visited Hungary in 2004 whilst your predecessor bar one, His Excellency Árpád Göncz, visited New Zealand in 1999.

There are strong personal links between New Zealand and Hungary.  New Zealand has a small, but thriving, Hungarian community.  History records that there have been Hungarians living in New Zealand for more than 130 years, with those numbers being bolstered by those who arrived as refugees following the 1956 revolution.   

In New Zealand's capital, Wellington, there is a reminder of that Hungarian community in the Magyar Millennium Park.  The park was officially opened on Saint Stephen's Day in August 2003 to mark Hungary's 1000th anniversary as a Christian state.  The park is not only an expression of Hungarians' appreciation to their adoptive country, but also offers future generations of New Zealand Hungarians a legacy of their heritage.
The park features plants typically found in Hungary. A decorative wooden gate (székely kapu), carved in Transylvania and gifted by the Hungarian government, stands at the park's entrance. A carved wooden plinth (kopjafa) symbolises freedom.

Today relations between New Zealand and Hungary are warm and expanding into new areas.  New Zealand visitors are warmly received in Budapest, and I am advised New Zealand's Honorary Consul, Mr Reszo Sardi, is receiving an increasing number of business, immigration and tourism enquiries, reflecting the growing potential in our relationship.

There is a steady level of interesting projects under way between the two countries across a range of topics-including education, science, investment, environment and cultural development. 

Internationally we share an interest in values based on a principled contribution to the international community.  Both New Zealand and Hungary, for example, have Provincial Reconstruction Teams in Afghanistan emphasising peace-building and reconstruction. 

A good way to foster relationships between Hungarians and New Zealanders, both now and for future generations, would be to conclude a working holiday scheme.  I understand that work on the scheme is well advanced, and I hope that this will come to fruition before too long.

As a country focussed on sustainability, New Zealand sees cooperation among environmentally-concerned countries as very important.  We were very interested in your "Green Presidents Initiative" and we are interested in exploring how we might strengthen our cooperation in this area.  I understand that you spoke of this work at the World Science Forum in 2007, of which you are co-patron, and that the forum will be held again in Budapest later this year.  I am sure that your lecture at Auckland University tomorrow, on the topic of social and environmental sustainability, will generate much interest.

New Zealand also appreciates Hungary's role in the European Union.  We share the European Union's values and the goals of peace, democracy, respect for human rights and environmental sustainability.  This makes New Zealand a natural partner for Europe as the European Union increases the range and scope of its influence around the world. 

As an erstwhile lawyer and former Judge, I have been interested to read of your personal and professional commitment to the principles of democracy and human and civil rights.  In particular, I note the role you played as President of the Constitutional Court of Hungary in the 1990s when a significant role was played in strengthening democracy in Hungary.

In conclusion, Your Excellency, New Zealand values its relationship with Hungary highly.   I trust that you will enjoy your State Visit to New Zealand.  On that note, I will I close in New Zealand's first language, Māori, by offering greetings and wishing everyone good health and fortitude in your endeavours. No reira, tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou, kia ora, kia kaha, tēnā koutou katoa.