Osteoporosis New Zealand

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 then specifically greet you: Claire Mackintosh and Julia Gallagher, Chair and Executive Director respectively of Osteoporosis New Zealand and your fellow board members and staff; Hon Tony Ryall, Minister of Health and fellow Minister of the Crown, Hon Pansy Wong, Minister of Women’s Affairs; Members of Parliament Clare Curran; Sandra Goudie, Dr Paul Hutchison; and Michael Woodhouse; Caroline Evers-Swindell and Georgina Earl, New Zealand Olympians; Distinguished guests otherwise; Ladies and Gentlemen. 

It was with great pleasure that my wife Susan and I accepted the invitation to attend and participate in the Osteoporosis New Zealand You Deserve a Medal ceremony here in Parliament Buildings today.

As Patron of Osteoporosis New Zealand, I have been asked to make an important announcement regarding the organisation’s future endeavours, but before I do I would like to speak about the significance of the awards that have just been made.

At the outset, I would like to state how good it is as Governor-General to reaffirm the connections with Osteoporosis New Zealand as Patron. 

Osteoporosis New Zealand was launched at Government House 10 years ago when my predecessor Sir Michael Hardie Boys became the organisation’s inaugural patron.  In 2002, my immediate predecessor, Dame Silvia Cartwright, awarded the first You Deserve a Medal awards.

Osteoporosis has often been described as “silent epidemic.”   It is “silent” for several reasons.  First, unlike many other diseases, where the person living with the ailment gradually becomes aware of its effect, there are no warning signs with osteoporosis.  Many people with osteoporosis only find out they are affected when they suffer a fracture.

Secondly, osteoporosis is a “silent epidemic” because as New Zealand’s population ages, the number of people living with the disease is set to increase.  While young people can also suffer from osteoporosis, I understand that more than half of all women and a third of all men over 60 are affected by the disease.

When osteoporosis strikes, the consequences can be severe.  More than 3,000 New Zealanders break a hip each year and Osteoporosis New Zealand estimates that figure will rise to 4,800 in ten years’ time as New Zealand’s population ages.

About a third of people who fracture a hip die within a year from related complications and another third never return home. Many lose their mobility and independence.

The costs of treatment, rehabilitation and ongoing care are significant.  In Britain, for example, the Royal College of Physicians estimates that osteoporosis results in more than 200,000 fractures each year, causing severe pain and disability to individual patients at an annual cost to the National Health Service of more than £940 million.  On current currency conversion rates, exceeds $2000 million New Zealand dollars.

The three people who have received awards today have helped give a voice to this epidemic.  But they have done so by providing a positive message.   They have shown that whilst there is no complete cure for osteoporosis, it can be managed and chances of breaking bones can be reduced.  And even if fractures do occur, with good support and a positive take on life, there is still life after an osteoporosis diagnosis. 

I noted that Lyndsay Nichols’ nominator referred to her as a “beacon of light”.  Having read all three citations, I believe it applies to you all.  These awards are open to people 65 years and over, but with a combined age of 273, you have left those far younger than yourselves in your wake!  Lyndsay, Lillian and Robin, you are all truly an inspiration and, if you will excuse the phrase, you really do deserve a medal!

I therefore want to congratulate Osteoporosis New Zealand, and its sponsors, for continuing work to promote these awards and for the organisation’s ongoing work for those living with this disease. 

In addition to the work of supporting those living with osteoporosis, there is the much needed work in research into the causes of this potentially debilitating condition.  The urgency of this work lies in our ageing population and the likelihood of increased numbers of hip, spine and wrist fractures.

As one who is the Patron of several health-based charities and organisations, I am very conscious of the costs involved in the research and other work required to develop new drugs and therapies.  None of this work comes cheaply. 

That is why, it is with great pleasure that I can announce that Osteoporosis New Zealand has moved to establish the Osteoporosis New Zealand Endowment Trust Fund.   The establishment of the endowment fund will, for example, allow people to make bequests through their wills to support the organisation’s ongoing work and research initiatives.    It is a splendid initiative, and it gives me great pleasure as Patron of Osteoporosis New Zealand to officially launch it this evening.

And on that note, I will 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.