Chinese New Year 2010

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 morning (Sign)

I specifically greet you: Hon John Key, Prime Minister and your fellow ministers; Hon Phil Goff, Leader of the Opposition; Hon Pansy Wong, Minister of Ethnic Affairs; Melissa Lee, Hon Chris Carter, Hon George Hawkins, John Boscawen, Members of Parliament; Your Excellency, LIAO Juhua, Consul-General of the People’s Republic of China, and fellow members of the Diplomatic Corps; Arthur Loo, Chairman of the Auckland Chinese Community Centre and your hardworking colleagues; Local Government Mayors Mike Lee, Hon John Banks and Bob Harvey; distinguished guests; ladies and gentlemen. 

In the context of these celebrations may I add the greetings: Nî hâo, xīn nián kuài lè and kung hei fat choi.

Thank you for inviting Susan and me to these 2010 Chinese New Year celebrations here the ASB Showgrounds this morning. 

It is a pleasure to share in the excitement and festivities which this occasion brings forth. In my time as Governor-General, I have been fortunate enough to have been involved in these celebrations in previous years. Accordingly it is something that Susan and I look forward to with anticipation.

The Chinese New Year celebrations are marked by Chinese communities around the world. They are among the most important and ancient of Chinese festivals. In fact, I am told that Chinese New Year has been celebrated for more than 3,000 years!

2010 is the year of the Tiger which is the third sign in the Chinese Zodiac cycle. It is said that people born in the year of the Tiger are courageous, active, optimistic, passionate, and dynamic. They are also said to be natural born leaders. Incidentally there is a royal connection to the Year of the Tiger in that Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II was born in the year of the Tiger, 1926.  

In New Zealand, the celebrations have grown to become a celebration of colour, culture and cuisine that is enjoyed by the whole community. The vibrant nature of these celebrations makes for a memorable time.

This gathering, and many others occurring in a number of parts of New Zealand, is a celebration of the traditions of the Chinese New Year and Chinese culture. It also reflects the contribution of people of Chinese descent to New Zealand. 

This may also be a time where non-Chinese New Zealanders first experience Chinese culture and heritage. Whether that is by sampling traditional Chinese food, watching a dragon dance, or enjoying the spectacular fireworks display in celebration of the New Year, it is certainly a fitting introduction.

I am told that the Chinese are one of the largest ethnic minority groups in New Zealand. According to Statistics New Zealand, there are about 150,000 people of Chinese descent who call New Zealand home.   According to historians, the first person of Chinese descent, Wong Ahpoo Hock Ting, arrived in Nelson just two years after the Treaty of Waitangi was signed.

Since then Chinese New Zealanders have made a significant contribution to this country’s economy and society by participation in politics, business, the professions and wider society.  Those connections have played an important role in New Zealand’s relationship with China, including the successful signing of a Free Trade Agreement in 2008.

Accordingly, when speaking of the contributions made, a variety of prominent New Zealanders of Chinese descent come to mind. These include academics such as Professor Manying Ip and Dr James Ng, lawyer Mai Chen and mayors Meng Foon of Gisborne and Peter Chin of Dunedin. They also include leading businessman Jonathan Ling and the Hon Pansy Wong as New Zealand’s first Cabinet Minister of Asian descent.

It is appropriate to reinforce welcome, particularly to those Chinese that may have recently made New Zealand their home. Chinese New Zealanders have been here for more than 160 years and continue to add to our country’s cultural diversity.

The point is well summarised in a beautiful phrase in the opening of Professor Manying Ip’s book Unfolding History, Evolving Identity. It is:

“Where my heart is at ease, this is home.”

To which I might add the words of New Zealander singer/songwriter Dave Dobbyn: “Welcome home”.

Finally, I wish you all a joyful and prosperous year, in this Year of the Tiger.

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.