Kapiti College Sports and Recreation Centre

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 afternoon/evening (Sign).

May I specifically greet you: John Howson, Chair of the Board and your fellow trustees; Tony Kane, Principal of Kapiti College and your staff;  Hon Nathan Guy, Minister of Internal Affairs; members of Parliament Hekia Parata, Hon Winnie Laban, Hon Darren Hughes and Gareth Hughes; kaumatua and kuia; Parents and students; Distinguished Guests otherwise; Ladies and Gentlemen. 

Thank you for inviting my wife Susan and I to attend the opening of Kapiti College’s new sports and recreation centre.  I have been asked to officially open this new building but before I do I would like to speak about this College and the significance of this new facility.

Established in 1954, and previously named Raumati District High School, Kapiti College is, I am told, the oldest college on the Kapiti Coast. 

This College, in its nearly sixty years of existence, has been an environment where sports and recreational activities are encouraged. Furthermore this College can be proud of its successes which include the fostering the talent of former All Blacks Christian Cullen  and Mark Shaw.

The involvement of physical education in the journey through college is not to be underestimated. Though some may see physical education as a way to avoid the more academic courses available, it is challenging in ways that maths and English are not.

That challenge includes achieving physical, mental and emotional, social and spiritual well-being. The Maori philosophy of hauora encapsulates all of these.  Additionally, involvement in sport helps with the development of supportive links between the school and the wider community.

From the initial concept of this Centre, through to its completion, community engagement and support has been encouraged and developed through fundraising and, once opened will be available for the wider Kapiti community to use.

With the College’s roll growing substantially over the past five years and the need for a seated indoor sports facility to serve the Kapiti Coast,  it is with pleasure that Susan and I are able to be here and celebrate this achievement not only for the College, but for the wider community.

I have learnt that this Centre includes a full-size indoor netball and basketball court, a volleyball court, four badminton courts, seating for 240 spectators, changing rooms and a separate glassed viewing gallery and function room. It is pleasing to see that this Centre can accommodate such a wide range of uses.

Alongside the use of this facility for physical education, I am told that it will also be used for interschool sports.  This is the perfect venue, through healthy competition, to build relationships with other schools.
The founder of the modern Olympics, Baron Pierre De Coubertin spoke well of New Zealand and its incorporation of sports into their culture. He said:

“In New Zealand… one finds oneself well off to have received in the public schools such a strong physical and moral education. Muscles and character are there the first object of necessity.”

Through playing sport, it is true that muscles are built, but alongside that, character is built and that is something that will stay with you for life. 

I would like to congratulate everyone involved in bringing this significant initiative to fruition. This $2.5 million Centre was made possible by Board of Trustees and community fundraising for the most part, with a substantial grant from the Ministry of Education.

To that end I encourage students of Kapiti College and its surrounding community to make use of this Centre and to afford it a great deal of care. It is a place that will service the Kapiti Coast for many years and something that you all can be proud of.     

And with a sense of anticipation in the value that this Centre will bring not only to this school but to the entire community, I will close in New Zealand's first language Māori, 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.

As Governor-General, it gives me great pleasure to declare the Kapiti College sports and recreation centre officially open.

 For more photos at this event, please click here.