Sir Peter Blake Leadership Awards

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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).

I then specifically greet you: Lady Pippa Blake; Sarah-Jane and James Blake; Sir Ron Carter, Chair of the Sir Peter Blake Leadership Awards Selection Panel and Lady Lewell Carter; Blake Leadership Award Supporters; Blake Leaders; and because there are so many of you in each category, I trust that the description “distinguished guests otherwise” will aptly cover the remaining majority satisfactorily; Ladies and Gentlemen.

As Patron of the Sir Peter Blake Trust, it is with great pleasure that my wife Susan and I welcome you to Government House Auckland this evening for the Sir Peter Blake Leadership Awards.

In a short time I will have the privilege of conferring six Emerging Leader Awards and the 2010 Blake Medallist.  Before doing so, I would like to reflect on the importance of leadership, and of recognising and encouraging emerging leaders in our country and the impact that the Trust’s namesake, Sir Peter Blake provided in displaying exceptional leadership. 

If you asked ten people what leadership meant to them, each one would likely come back with differing thoughts.  Some might define leadership by vision, some by charisma, and others by the ability to inspire others.

In offering my own thoughts on leadership, it seems important to note that good leadership cannot be defined by one quality in isolation.  Good leadership is exemplified by a number of qualities which include an ability to resonate trust and respect; a willingness to take responsibility; and a commitment to seeing things through.

The American philosopher and essayist of the 19th century, Ralph Waldo Emerson, wrote, “Trust men and they will be true to you, treat them greatly and they will show themselves great.”  It is true, that to be trusted and respected, you must first have trust and respect for others. In our lives, this trust and respect will extend to work colleagues, our families and friends and people in our respective communities.  Great leaders have always earned that trust and respect through their deeds and actions.

As a leader, you must also be willing to take responsibility for the interests of those you serve, especially when the journey becomes difficult. When the choices are “give up” or “fight on”, a good leader will choose the latter. The real test of an outstanding leader is their ability to guide and motivate others through challenging situations when the easiest option is to surrender – that is, to see something through to the bitter end.

The visionary leadership of Sir Peter Blake exemplified the qualities of an outstanding leader.  He remains a role model for all New Zealanders and he spoke of turning vision into reality and of taking an idea from thought to action.  Sir Peter Blake once famously said:

"Having vision is not enough. Change comes through realising the vision and turning it into a reality. It is easy to espouse worthy goals, values and policies; the hard part is implementation."

To the past Emerging Leader and Blake Medallist award recipients who are here tonight and, to those whose names will be called shortly, I offer you a challenge to never rest on your laurels.  May you always strive to turn the vision that you might have for a better community, a better New Zealand and, a better world, into a reality.

New Zealand society is in a constant state of change.  Values that once held us together are at some risk of being lost and it is essential for today’s leaders and future leaders to hold fast to their own sets of values and, equally, to hold fast to what they value in others.

In that sense, leadership is not confined to a select few.  Rather, leadership can be displayed by any person who may stand up for what they believe in and who has the courage to challenge the status quo.  Believing in a better society is something that we all can do and putting aside self-serving interests in favour of cultivating strong and cohesive communities will be critical for the future and prosperity of New Zealand and its people. 

In my 2010 New Year message, I emphasised the importance of recognising emerging leaders  Part of that message read as follows: “Tomorrow’s leaders need the skills, confidence and support to take on the mantle of community leadership.  We should all focus on identifying and encouraging these leaders whether they emerge in public positions, through voluntary service to others, in sport, education or business.”

The public acknowledgement provided by events such as this, tonight,  fortifies our leaders for the challenges they will yet face.  It is with pleasure that I offer congratulations to everyone receiving an award later this evening and also thanks to all of those people who help, under your leadership, Sir Ron, make the Sir Peter Blake Leadership Awards possible.

And on that note I will close in our country’s first language, offering everyone present greetings, and wishing everyone good health and fortitude in your endeavours.

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