Rhodes Scholarship Reception

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: Members of the Rhodes Scholarship selection panel Professor Sir David Skegg, Chris Curran, Dr Susan Cutfield, Dr Merata Kawharu, Professor Dame Ann Salmond, Paul Tipping; and scholarship candidates Emma Dixon, Thomas Hills, Alice Irving, Kirsten Meyer, Imogen Restall, Richard Stebbing and Peter Williamson; staff from the New Zealand Vice-Chancellors Committee notably Kiri Manuera; Distinguished Guests otherwise; Ladies and Gentlemen. 

Welcome to Government House Auckland for this reception prior to tomorrow’s interviews to choose the recipients of the 2010 Rhodes Scholarships.  I present an apology for my wife Susan who like me looks forward to the Rhodes encounter but who has a grandmother operation for a new arrival in our extended family that has won by a short head.

This function always carries with it an air of excitement.  Last year, I had the pleasure of chairing the selection panel as it chose the 200th New Zealander to be awarded a Rhodes Scholarship—and in addition numbers 201 and 202.   It was an important milestone in what is widely regarded as one of the most prestigious international scholarship programmes. 

To gain a Rhodes Scholarship is the pinnacle of academic achievement.  You will join the ranks for the more than 7,000 Rhodes Scholars since the Rhodes Trust was established by the Will of the Rt Hon Cecil John Rhodes, who died in 1902.

The first New Zealand recipient set the tone for all those who followed.  In keeping with the terms of Rhodes’ will, they were all more than “merely bookworms.”   They were all smart people, but many have shown athletic prowess and strong moral values and leadership qualities. 

The first recipient was Dunedin geologist (James) Allan Thomson  who went on to be the Director of the Dominion Museum, the forerunner of the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa.

Looking back at the previous recipients, the list includes two Olympic medal winners, my predecessor, the first New Zealand-born Governor-General, Sir Arthur Porritt (1923), and the enigmatic Dr Jack Lovelock (1931).   There has also been All Black turned journalist Chris Laidlaw (1968) and All Black turned company executive, David Kirk (1985).  Given that Dr Kirk has the distinction of being the only person to captain New Zealand to success in the 2011 Rugby World Cup, maybe we should consider adding that to the criteria the selection panel applies tomorrow! 

But I jest. The list of New Zealand Rhodes recipients also includes a host of scientists, senior university academics, including four Vice-Chancellors, one of whom, Sir David Skegg is on the selection panel, several members of Parliament and senior members of the medical and legal professions.  

It would be easy to spend the whole evening reciting their achievements. Gaining a Rhodes Scholarship, and being able to study in Oxford with some of the world’s greatest minds, has set previous recipients on the road to significant careers.  Without doubt, they have been leaders in their fields and have met Rhodes’ criteria that they should all “esteem the performance of public duties as his highest aim.”  

At the completion of tomorrow’s interviews, the panel will decide who should receive the scholarships on offer.  Having been involved three times before, I can tell you it is never an easy decision.  You are all worthy candidates but unfortunately we cannot give scholarships to you all.  To have reached the point of being interviewed, given the competition for these scholarships is in itself a great honour.

When the first New Zealander was selected in 1904, the scholarships were available to just one person every year.  In the 1920s this was permanently expanded to two  and in 1992, the numbers to be selected from New Zealand was expanded to three.

When it was announced in 1926 that New Zealand was to be offered two Rhodes Scholarships, The New Zealand Railways Magazine, ran an article lauding this country’s record of scholarship recipients, noting that the trustees had long felt the urgency of New Zealand’s claim to an additional placement.  It also noted that:

“The trustees are confident that New Zealand will be able to send two scholars in future with the same intellectual, moral and physical qualities as she has sent in the past, and that her scholars will continue to be what they have been—a credit … to New Zealand …” 

So I wish you all the best for the interviews tomorrow.  May you all be a credit to New Zealand.
And on that note, I will close in our country’s first language by 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.