Burnham Military Camp

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 (Sign).

I specifically greet you: Colonel Phil McKee, Commander of the 3rd Land Force Group of the New Zealand Army; Major Ross James , Officer Commanding the Youth Development Unit and your fellow staff; LSV Trainees; Distinguished Guests otherwise; Ladies and Gentlemen.

Thank you for inviting me to visit the Burnham Military Camp.  At the outset I would like to thank everyone for the organisation that has gone into our visit from the powhiri to the guard of honour and the tour of facilities.

I would like to take this opportunity to speak of the work of the New Zealand Defence Force and in particular its connection to the Limited Service Volunteer Company programme. 

As a Governor-General, I have a special link with the New Zealand Defence Force.  While most of you would know me as the “Governor-General,” my full title is “Governor-General and Commander-in-Chief”.  While the role is primarily ceremonial, as Commander-in-Chief, and on the advice of the Minister of Defence, I sign the commissions of all officers of the NZ Defence Force from newly graduated Lieutenants right up to the Chief of Defence.

As a lawyer and a former Judge and Ombudsman who had almost no military background prior to being appointed Governor-General in 2006, I have enjoyed my regular connections with the Defence Force.

Those connections have varied from being the Reviewing Officer at Navy Divisions through to seeing New Zealand military staff at work helping bring peace to the Solomon Islands as a part of an international assistance mission. 

I have also connected with the services when they participate in ceremonies welcoming new Ambassadors and Heads of State to New Zealand and I have also regularly awarded New Zealand Honours to NZDF personnel at investiture ceremonies.   Those awards have varied from exceptional bravery and valour to recognition for successfully completing difficult command roles and service beyond the call of duty.

These varied connections are real-life examples of the values of the Defence Force in action.   The first, and the one on which all the others are reliant, is courage.  Being courageous is about more than being brave in life threatening situations, it is about doing what one believes is right. 

From courage flow the values of commitment, comradeship and integrity.  Commitment recognises the Defence Force’s requirement to loyally serve the interests of all New Zealanders and their democratically elected government.  

To that end, members of the Defence Force work as a team, embracing the friendship of fellow comrades, not only as a benefit of the job, but as a necessity.  They also need to display integrity, following the leadership of the Chief of Defence Force and the Service Chiefs and working honourably to bring credit to the Defence Force and to New Zealand.

These values are not just about life in the military. They are values to which everyone should aspire. However, the demands of modern life mean that some people lose sight of these values and need a helping hand. The Defence Force recognises its commitment to serving all New Zealanders and extolling its values is about more than just military service.

One of a number of initiatives the Force has established to assist unemployed young people has been the Limited Service Volunteer Training programme.   Working in association with the Ministry of Social Development, the LSV programme was established here at Burnham in 1993.

The programme has been very successful and last year the Government provided funding for the programme to be delivered in Auckland and Wellington as well.   The Youth Development Unit here also provides courses for other organisations including the Canterbury Youth Development Trust, of which I am the Patron.  

A large proportion of those who complete these programmes go on to fulltime employment.  But in meeting with you today, it is clear you have gained more than a sense of direction in their lives.  It is clear that you have picked up on the values of the Defence Force.  As one former trainee from Wellington said: “My thinking has changed and my attitude has changed.  I realise it’s not all about me in the world, and that I like working in a team. I never thought I’d say that!”

In conclusion, I wish to congratulate everyone involved in this and the other NZDF youth assistance programmes.  You are making a real difference to helping young New Zealanders get their lives back on track. 

But most importantly, I want to congratulate the trainees.  You did not have to do this programme.  You could have stayed at home but have instead, you have made a positive decision to make a change and to be all that you can be.  As the Nobel Peace prize winner, Dr Albert Schweitzer once said: “I don’t know what your destiny will be; but one thing I know: the only ones among you who will be really happy are those who will have sought and found how to serve.”

And with those words of encouragement, I will close in New Zealand’s first language, Māori, offering everyone greetings, and wishing you good health and fortitude in your endeavours.   

No reira, tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou, kia ora, kia kaha, tēnā koutou katoa.