Wellington East Girls' College opening of the new East Wing classroom

Greetings everyone and in the languages of the realm of New Zealand - Maori, Cook Island, Niuean and Tokelauan.

Kia Ora, Kia Orana, Fakalofa Lahi Atu, Taloha Ni.

In particular Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Simon Tyler, Principal Janice Campbell, students of Wellington East Girls' College, Staff and Invited Guests.

Thank you for inviting me to Wellington East Girls' College this afternoon to open the new East Wing classrooms.

Thanks also for such a colourful and warm welcome to my wife and I.  It is a true honour to be welcomed to your school in such a manner today by people who are, in fact, our new neighbours.

The welcome you have just given also reflects the makeup and colour of your school.  Wellington East Girls' College is striking in that it draws on a wide range of Wellington's many ethnicities to make up its student population.

Just looking at the audience today tells me just how diverse your school is.

You are luck to have representation from so many communities and this creates a truly exciting school community of itself.

I sue the word exciting because such diversity in our schools is, to me, an indication of what we can expect fro our country in the future.  This College is a microcosm of harmony and opportunity and it shows just what can we can learn and gain as a country from embracing and celebrating diversity.

I believe the environment at this College will more and more be reflected in other areas across the country.  And so, your experiences here will help set the precedent for positive interaction between all members of our increasingly diverse society in the years ahead.

Now for the task at hand - of officially opening the East Wing of Wellington East Girls' College.

I understand that I am following in good footprints today.  You have had such dignitaries opening your facilities in the past - Hon Peter Fraser, Dame Catherine Tizard, HRH Princess Anne and the Prime Minister, Rt Hon Helen Clark.

Opening new classrooms or buildings at a school is inevitably more than just a celebration of bricks and mortar.  It is a symbolic occasion - a celebration of where your school has come from and where it will go in the future. 

Many hundreds of students will pass through these classrooms as they prepare for their lives beyond school.

These classrooms represent nor only the future education of these students, but also the wider community that supports this College.  To the students, staff, parents, Old Girls and Board Members who all worked together to build these classrooms - I extend my congratulations and gratitude to you.

Now, as is my duty, I take great pleasure in officially opening the East Wing of Wellington East Girls' College.

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