Funeral for Lt Tim O'Donnell

May I first acknowledge Mark and Mary-Anne O’Donnell and members of the O’Donnell family, then you: Rt Hon John Key, Prime Minister, Ministers of the Crown; Leader of the Opposition Hon Phil Goff;  Arikinui Kingi Tuheitia; Lieutenant General Jerry Mateparae, Chief of the New Zealand Defence Force; Major General Rhys Jones, Chief of Army and fellow service chiefs;  Officers and men and women of the New Zealand Defence Force; Distinguished Guests otherwise; Ladies and Gentlemen.

This afternoon we remember the life of Lieutenant Timothy Andrew O’Donnell of the Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment who died on 4 August 2010, while he was serving as a part of the New Zealand Provincial Reconstruction Team of the International Security Assistance Force in Bamyan Province, Afghanistan.

The Governor-General, as Commander-in-Chief, signs the commissions of all New Zealand officers from the Chief of Defence Force through to the Lieutenants who graduate from the Officer Cadet School every year.  On behalf of the Queen of New Zealand, there is a formal trust placed in each of them.  Each commission states that I place my “trust and confidence in your loyalty, courage and good conduct” to carefully discharge the duties as an officer.

That trust carries heavy responsibilities in that each officer has to follow the orders and directions of their superiors, and maintain the discipline of subordinate officers and ranks.  They may have to give orders for men and women under their command to use deadly force against others or to undertake duties that could lead to injury or death.  Our society does not lightly give these powers to anyone.

In his military career, Lieutenant O’Donnell, whose commission began on 5 December 2005, exemplified qualities that distinguish an officer of the New Zealand Defence Force.  An early posting for him was as a platoon commander in Timor-Leste.

In April 2008, I met Lieutenant O’Donnell and his family to present him with the Distinguished Service Decoration at Government House, in recognition of what he had done during his service in Timor-Leste.  On an occasion, he took decisive action to protect a Fretilin convoy that had come under attack.  The citation read out at his investiture made it clear, that had it not been for the decisive intervention of his platoon, it is likely that a number of fatalities would have occurred.

I remember the ceremony and the hushed silence in the ballroom as his citation was read and the thunderous applause as he returned to his seat.   I remember also meeting Lieutenant O’Donnell after the ceremony when photographs were taken and the obvious pride in the faces of family members.

Lieutenant O’Donnell’s death is a tragedy on a number of levels.  First, it is a personal tragedy for his parents and family who live with the intense grief of their loss.  At this sad time New Zealanders generally extend deepest sympathies to the O’Donnell family.

His death is also a tragedy for the New Zealand Army.  Lieutenant O’Donnell was regarded as a highly competent and widely liked officer.  It seems clear that he understood the challenges of command and that he held the potential for higher leadership.

His death is also a loss for the wider New Zealand Defence Force, which has lost several of its number in the last year.  While in military service defence personnel are called upon to serve in dangerous and life-threatening situations, every loss of life is keenly felt.  New Zealanders thank Defence Force members for their dedication and service to our country as we join you in remembering another colleague.

While ours is a peaceful nation that has been spared the bloody animosities that divide many other countries, New Zealanders have long served in conflict zones far from home to defend democratic values or to bring some semblance of peace and stability to divided lands.  This was a responsibility that Lieutenant O’Donnell was proud to uphold.

It is with both sadness and pride that we now add his name to the long list of those New Zealanders who have paid the ultimate sacrifice in service to their nation.  Today we honour and remember Lieutenant Tim O’Donnell as a son, an officer and a New Zealander.  Rest in peace, haere rā, kia ora koutou.

Watch part of the Governor-General's address by clicking here (opens in a new window)