E nga rau rangatira mā, e huihui mai nei i tenei raa, tēnei aku mihi mahana ki a koutou. Kia ora mai tātou katoa.
I specifically acknowledge:
- The Hon Mark Mitchell, Minister for Sport and Recreation
- Desley Simpson, Deputy Mayor of Auckland
- Jason Shoebridge, Chair, Aktive Board
- Jennah Wootten, Chief Executive, Aktive
- Laura McGoldrick (MC)
- Bobby Newsom, Government House Kaumatua
- Donor Panellists
- And of course, our rangatahi who have joined us today and their whanau
A very warm welcome to Government House.
I am very pleased to support Game Plan AKL today. I am speaking here not just as Governor-General and former Children’s Commissioner– but also as a mother and grandmother.
If we want the best for our tamariki and mokopuna, their physical and mental wellbeing are absolutely paramount to us. We want them to have opportunities to explore what they are capable of achieving.
We like to talk about ‘level playing fields’, and everyone having a ‘fair go’. And we also know regular exercise is a game-changer, with life-long benefits for health and general wellbeing. As the whakatauki says:
“Mauri tu, mauri ora – an active soul is a healthy soul."
There’s justifiable concern about the time many of our young people spend indoors, in front of a screen. It is tempting to suspect that there is a strong correlation with our nation’s high incidence of mental health issues in that age group.
Sport teaches us about self-discipline, time management, focus, and fair play. It helps us manage our stress and setbacks. We forge close bonds with team-mates, and we are guided by coaches who are dedicated to mentoring us and fostering our talents. And then there are those precious moments of joy and accomplishment to savour – which are so vital for healthy self-esteem.
Clearly, the best time to sow the seed for healthy living is when we are young. If sport is to be for everyone – not just for our stars in the making – and not just for the people who can afford the gear, the transport to venues and the coaching – then addressing these costs is an important first step to increasing and maintaining participation by our rangatahi.
Our children look up to our sporting greats. They look at the life stories of Steven Adams and Dame Valerie Adams and think “That could be me”. They imagine the pride of representing their community, at regional or national level.
I want to thank everyone involved with Game Plan AKL for stepping up to the plate to help our children and their whanau dream those dreams, by helping them to manage the costs of participation in sport. Thank you for walking the talk, for investing in the future of our young people, the health of our sporting codes, and the future of our communities.
I am looking forward to hearing more about Game Plan AKL– especially from you young recipients here today – and what the assistance you have received has meant for your hopes and dreams for the future.
Kia ora huihui tātou katoa