State Dinner

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 the specifically greet you: Your Excellency, Grand Chief Rt Hon Sir Paulias Matane, Governor-General of Papua New Guinea and Lady Matane; Hon Sir Dr Puka Temu, Acting Prime Minister; Your Excellency William Dihm, High Commissioner for Papua New Guinea to New Zealand; Your Excellency Niels Holm, High Commissioner for New Zealand to Papua New Guinea and Mrs Suzette Holm; Ministers of the Crown and Members of the judiciary; Distinguished guests otherwise; Ladies and Gentlemen. 

In the context of this evening's gathering, may I add the greetings: iving olgeta (evening everyone).

Your Excellencies, My wife Susan and I thank you for the invitation to attend this State Dinner.  We also wish to thank the Government of Papua New Guinea for inviting us to visit.  

First, I wish to pay tribute to you, Sir Paulias, and particularly to your boundless energy and commitment to the welfare of your people.  I have heard stories of your fitness and determination.  When I was told you were to host a dinner, I was slightly apprehensive that we might all have to participate in your pre-dawn exercise programme as compensation!  Your efforts however to promote good health, education and self-improvement are well known and set an excellent example to us all.

I also wish to say at the outset that we have long looked forward to the opportunity to visit one of the Pacific's most remarkable countries.  Papua New Guinea is a land of great natural beauty with a legendary diversity of cultures, peoples and languages.

This is my second visit to Papua New Guinea, and I count a number of its people as friends.  In my former life as an Ombudsman from 1995 to 2005, I developed strong links with members of the Ombudsman Commission of Papua New Guinea, first through office to office links, and secondly through my involvement in a Commonwealth Secretariat programme for newly appointed Ombudsmen and Ombudsman investigators, to which PNG Ombudsmen came over those years.

I would like to take an opportunity to speak a little of the relationship between Papua New Guinea and New Zealand and of the challenges ahead.

Your Excellencies, the relationship between our two countries is friendly, marked by warmth, familiarity and co-operation.  The connections between our two countries are many and varied.

The beginnings of that relationship sadly lie in the devastation wrought by the Second World War.

With Papua New Guinea achieving independence in 1975, our two countries quickly moved to establish diplomatic relations, building on official New Zealand representation here before that time. The relationship now includes regular consultations at the political level, a development assistance programme, defence co-operation activities and a network of commercial and business linkages. 

The relationship is underpinned and acknowledged by the warm personal relationships between our respective political leaders. The present New Zealand Prime Minister Hon John Key and Foreign Minister Murray McCully visited Port Moresby earlier this year.  Indeed, Mr Key held his first bilateral meeting with Sir Michael en route to APEC late last year and this was followed by a bilateral meeting between Foreign Ministers Murray McCully and Samuel Abal.  There was also a visit by you to us, Sir Paulias, when you attended New Zealand's Waitangi Day celebrations in Auckland in 2006.   My present visit emphasises the importance New Zealand places on this relationship and the desire to strengthen the ties between us.

I understand that more than 2000 New Zealanders are estimated to now live and work here.   Likewise, New Zealand's last census found that more than 1000 people born here are now living in New Zealand.   There will no doubt be many more children who, while perhaps born in New Zealand, take pride in their Papua New Guinean heritage.

New Zealand and Papua New Guinea both share a common Westminster constitutional, parliamentary and legal heritage.  That heritage is symbolised in Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II being both separately and equally the Queen of Papua New Guinea and the Queen of New Zealand.  Your Excellency I look forward to discussing with you further our respective roles as Her Majesty's personal representative. 
With that heritage has come a mutual respect for democratic values and commitment to the rule of law.

While challenges remain, the values of democratic government have strongly taken root.  With an independent judiciary and an active civil society, your country has an unbroken record of democratic government.  There is robust domestic political dialogue, a lively local media, and a populace with an active sense of its rights and a determination to participate in the democratic process. These are things in which everyone can take pride.

There are also a host of community links in organisations such as Churches, Scouts, Guides and St John.   On the sporting front, while New Zealanders are stronger fans of the Union form of rugby, I join with the people of Papua New Guinea in having a particular affection for rugby league, in the administration of which I was once actively engaged.  A number of players from Papua New Guinea play alongside New Zealanders in the Australian NRL.

New Zealand and Papua New Guinea also share a host of international links.  We are both members of the United Nations, the Commonwealth of Nations, APEC, the ASEAN Regional Forum and the Pacific Forum.  New Zealand recognises the significant role that Papua New Guinea plays in the last mentioned Pacific Forum and also the Melanesian Spearhead Group. 

Papua New Guinea is also what New Zealand regards as a regional powerhouse.   While its rugged topography makes for many challenges, your nation boasts a wealth of natural resources. But without doubt, your country's richest resource is the enormous reservoir of talent that lies with your people.  I am told that highly skilled people from Papua New Guinea can be found in senior roles in many parts of the world, and in that lies a further challenge to invite some of them to return.

Nobody here, however, underestimates the size of the development challenges your government and people continue to face.  With a burgeoning population, I know that the Papua New Guinea Government is keenly aware of the importance of extending essential services to a largely rural population, much of which is very difficult to reach.  

New Zealand is committed to working with Papua New Guinea, assisting it in extending education and health services and in fostering micro-enterprises, particularly in rural areas.  New Zealand is pleased that it was able to play a role in bringing peace to Bougainville and is committed to working with all parties to ensure its ongoing stability.  

In conclusion, New Zealand remains an old friend and committed regional partner of Papua New Guinea and its people.  While we are separated by the waters of the mighty Pacific Ocean, we are also joined by it and there is much that we share in common.  

To Sir Paulias, I thank you again for your hospitality this evening.  To Sir Puka and your Government, I thank you again for inviting us to visit.  I am looking forward to learning more about your nation's plans for the future and in strengthening the bonds between us. 

And on a note comprising thanks and confidence for the future, I seek to close in New Zealand's first language Māori, 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.