Newtown Union Health 20th Anniversary Celebration

Ladies and Gentlemen, I greet you in the languages of the realm of New Zealand - English, Maori, Cook Island Maori, Niuean, Tokelauan and Sign Language.

Greetings, Kia Ora, Kia Orana, Fakalofa Lahi Atu, Taloha Ni and (Sign)

Specifically I greet you: Minister for State Services and MP for this electorate, Hon. Annette King

Thank you for inviting Susan and myself to attend the Newtown Union Health Service 20 th Anniversary celebration today.

I speak to you today not only in my capacity as Governor-General but also as a member of the vibrant and diverse Newtown community. Further, as a person of Fiji Indian heritage I share with many of the people who live in Newtown , a heritage which identifies with an ethnic minority.

Multiculturalism is a well-known feature of this community and its surrounding suburbs. Newtown typifies New Zealand 's population in the 21 st century and , which is a growing nation of many cultures. T this part of our capital city is a microcosm of our increasing diversity.

I believe multiculturalism places our small country apart in the world.

New Zealand represents a benchmark for diversity, where many cultures live peacefully, and productively, side by side and whose governments for a number of years have made a principled contribution to international affairs. 

I must, of course, acknowledge that we still have many areas in which we can improve our race relations - with new settlers as well as within our established migrant groups. But we are making good progress and I believe we should celebrate what our nation has achieved by harnessing our diversity.

One area which requires continuing focus - and which is relevant today - is a need to provide healthcare services in a way that acknowledges the needs of our many cultures.

This has been one of the primary objectives of Newtown Union h Health since its establishment in 1987.

Newtown Union Health was born out of a desire to bring the multicultural community of Newtown together to respond to the health needs that affect its residents.

It was a partnership formed between a number of local Unions such as the Hotel and Hospital Workers and Cleaners Union, and the local community. The focus was on a community owned, participatory model of primary health care which enables communities to have a degree of control in addressing their own health needs.

The principles behind the Newtown Union Health Service were taken from the Alma Ata declaration of 1978. This was the first declaration that underlined the importance of primary health care, based on the principles of equitable distribution, community involvement and appropriate technology.

Since this declaration many World Health Organisation participant countries have implemented the Primary health care model - to varying degrees of success. The Newtown Union Health Service stands out as an exceptionally successful model of the Primary health care approach.

Key to this success was the forging of partnerships with other union health services, community controlled health services and Maori health services. These partnerships mainly come under the direction of Healthcare Aotearoa.

Further initiatives at a Government level have also contributed to the development of the Primary Health Care model.

As a result, the Newtown Health Service continues to provide affordable health care to people who need it most.

There are a number of people that must be commended for their involvement in this initiative. Most importantly are the Newtown residents, many of whom are present today.

Secondly, I acknowledge the past and current Board members, staff and trade Unions.

Your commitment to a vision of high-quality affordable health care has given Newtown and its surrounding suburbs a leading health care resource.

To conclude I would like to quote a Maori proverb, which emphasizes teamwork.

Kaua e rangiruatia te h o te hoe; e kore t ttou waka e ki uta.

Do not lift the paddle out of unison or our canoe will never reach the shore.

The Newtown Union Health Service is an example of how working collectively can produce positive results for all involved.

I began speaking in all the New Zealand realm languages.  May I close by speaking in Maori issuing greetings and wishing you good health and fortitude in your endeavours.

No reira, tena koutou, tena koutou, kia ora, kia kaha, tena koutou katoa