Order of New Zealand 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 specifically greet you: Hon John Key, Prime Minister; Rebecca Kitteridge, Secretary of the Cabinet, Clerk of the Executive Council and Registrar of the Order of New Zealand; David Baguley, Director of the Honours Secretariat; Members of the Order of New Zealand; Distinguished Guests accompanying you and otherwise; Ladies and Gentlemen.  

It is a great pleasure for my wife Susan and I to welcome you to Government House Auckland for this Dinner in honour of the Members of the Order of New Zealand. It is also worth noting that it is the first time this special dinner has been held in this House. 

It is of particular significance that there are so many outstanding New Zealanders gathered together in one room this evening. As it is a rare gathering, I hope that many of you will see it as an opportunity to connect with others you know, in as warm and friendly an environment as can be arranged.

I would like to acknowledge, by name, some Members of the Order, who have sent their apologies for not being able to be here, those who have passed away since the last gathering of the Members of the Order in June 2007 which celebrated the 20th Anniversary of the Order, and those who have been appointed to the Order since then.

It seems appropriate to now draw attention to the passing of Sir Edmund Hillary, in January last year. Sir Edmund was the last of the original Members appointed on the institution of the Order on 6 February 1987. May I specifically acknowledge June, Lady Hillary, who is in attendance this evening.

It can be said that each of you, by your effort and example, have demonstrated to other New Zealanders that fervour and perseverance are all that it takes to achieve your goals. Sir Edmund said, in typically humble fashion:

"I like to think that I am a very ordinary New Zealander, not terribly bright perhaps, but determined and practical in what I do."

As anyone who knew Sir Edmund can attest, he was anything but ordinary and was far brighter than he ever gave himself credit. But determination and practicality are the hallmarks of New Zealanders and are qualities which those gathered here this evening, have in abundance.

More than anything, you have shown great leadership. The late Dame Whina Cooper, who was a Member of the Order, once said about what goes with leadership:

“I can’t sleep at night, because even at night I’m worrying about things and planning things. It’s the mana you see. If you’ve got it, it never lets you alone. You have to be thinking about the people and working for them, all the time.”

This evening is about acknowledging the people who have been appointed New Zealand’s highest honour. As Members of The Order of New Zealand you have made a remarkable contribution to our country.

To this end, then, may I first acknowledge those Members who have sent apologies for not being able to be with us. They are:

Dame Doreen Blumhardt
Hon Michael Duffy (of Australia)
Rt Hon Sir Kenneth Keith
Rt Hon Mike Moore
Sir Shridath Ramphal
Hon Whetu Tirikatene-Sullivan
Dame Kiri Te Kanawa
Dr Clifford Whiting
His Eminence Cardinal Tom Williams

I would also like to acknowledge three further Members of the Order, in addition to Sir Edmund Hillary, that have passed away since the last dinner in June 2007.  They were:

Sir James Fletcher
Sir Roy McKenzie
Dr Ivan Lichter

May I specifically acknowledge Dr Shelley Lichter who is in attendance this evening.
I sense that I speak for us all in saying that these people are greatly missed in New Zealand.

Finally, I would like to acknowledge those New Zealanders who have been made a Member of the Order of New Zealand since the 20th Anniversary Celebration Dinner, held at Government House, Wellington on 20 June 2007, both of whom are present tonight.  They are:

Rt Hon Sir Donald McKinnon
Sir Murray Halberg

Welcome everyone.  Please enjoy yourselves.

And on that note, I will close in New Zealand’s first language Māori, 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.