Speech
Investiture of Peta Mathias
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Welcome
E nga mana, e nga reo, e nga iwi o nga hau e wha, tēnei aku mihi māhana ki a koutou. Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, I extend warm greetings to you all. Today is a special day, and it is a great pleasure for Janine and me to welcome you to Government House for this Investiture Ceremony.
As Governor-General, I have the authority and privilege, on behalf of Her Majesty, The Queen of New Zealand, to hold an Investiture Ceremony for her and to confer the Insignia of a Member of New Zealand Order of Merit on Peta Christine Mathias of Auckland.
Ladies and gentlemen, as Ms Mathias is honoured, may I invite you to join me in acknowledging, thanking and congratulating her for her service to our country.
Mrs Barbara Lewis, Deputy Official Secretary at Government House, will now summons Ms Mathias and read a citation.
Citation
Peta Christine Mathias, of Auckland, for services as an author and television presenter.
Ms Mathias is a multi-award-winning food and travel television presenter and culinary author. She has written eight award-winning gastronomic travel books on Morocco, France, New Zealand, Ireland and Vietnam. Her social commentary on life for women and men in the 21st Century includes books such as Can We Help it if we’re Fabulous? published in 2008, Just in Time to be Too Late in 2009 and Beat Till Stiff in 2011. She presented the food and travel television shows Taste New Zealand, Taste Takes Off, and A Taste of Home for 12 years. Her 2004 show, A Taste of Ireland, won the 2005 Qantas Media Award for the best television magazine or lifestyle programme. Ms Mathias has her own production company, which makes food and travel television programmes, such as Culinary Adventures in the South of France in 2011. She teaches in New Zealand and hosts culinary tours in Marrakech, the south of France, the Basque country and India. She also performs live in a one-woman show throughout New Zealand.
Concluding Remarks
Ladies and gentlemen, distinguished guests. Awards such as the one that I have conferred on Peta Mathias today are usually conferred here in Auckland or in Wellington with others honoured in the Queen’s Birthday and New Year Honours lists. In that way we can acknowledge in a collective setting the contributions that New Zealanders have made. And the individuals being recognised can appreciate and meet other recipients.
While it has not been possible to confer this honour together with other New Zealanders, due to Ms Mathias’ travel commitments, holding this separate ceremony does not diminish the significance of this accolade or this ceremony.
Ladies and gentlemen, an investiture ceremony is the singular most important event I hold on behalf of Her Majesty, The Queen of New Zealand. It is important because I am able, as Governor-General, and on behalf of all New Zealanders, to recognise and thank extraordinary people for what they have done to make ours a better society.
It is important that we acknowledge and celebrate the people that do make a contribution, people that show there is something special about helping others, or in achieving excellence in their chosen field or profession.
Receiving an award of this nature is a significant accolade. It recognises the commitment, perseverance, passion and compassion; and the contribution that each recipient has made to our society.
Ms Mathias – We have been privileged to hear your story. You have set a fine example that inspires, encourages and motivates others.
Your character and commitment has brought us together today. Your contribution has enriched the social, cultural, economic and culinary tapestry of Aotearoa-New Zealand.
With that said, I could think of no better phrase to sum up your achievements, than the words of the 19th century writer, Ralph Waldo Emerson. He wrote:
“What is success? To laugh often and much; to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; to earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; To appreciate beauty; to find the best in others; to leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch of a redeemed social condition; to know even one life breathed easier because you have lived; this is to have succeeded.”
On behalf of Her Majesty The Queen of New Zealand, and on behalf of all New Zealanders, I congratulate you on your achievement and receiving this honour. Kia ora huihui tātou katoa. Again, greetings to all.