Speech
Order of New Zealand Dinner
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Kia ora koutou, nga mihi o te po ki a koutou. Greetings to you all this evening. Members of the Order of New Zealand and distinguished guests, it is a great pleasure for Janine and me to welcome you all to Government House this evening.
It was a little more than a year ago when the last dinner was held . Janine and I were privileged to attend, at the invitation of Sir Anand Satyanand, just two and a half weeks before I was sworn in. We remember the dinner well.
Now I have the great honour of hosting this dinner for you members of the Order of New Zealand. In doing so, we commemorate the 25th Anniversary of the Order of New Zealand, our country’s highest accolade, in Her Majesty’s Diamond Jubilee Year.
I intend to keep my remarks brief, so that we can get on with conversation and enjoy one another’s company. However, at the outset I have some duties that members who have attended these dinners will be familiar with. I want to make mention of those members whom we have lost, and those who have joined the Order since we last gathered. I will also make mention of “others” who are here.
We have fare welled one of New Zealand’s great kaumatua and statesmen, Sir Paul Reeves, who passed away just two days after the Order’s dinner last year. It is wonderful that Lady Beverley Reeves is able to join us this evening. As well, in July this year, one of New Zealand’s most beloved and recognised authors, Margaret Mahy, passed away. E koro, e kui moe mai, moe mai, moe mai.
I now turn to acknowledge those members the Order has gained. In the first months of my term in Office, I had the pleasure of investing artist Ralph Hotere as an Ordinary Member at a special ceremony in Dunedin.
Later, to commemorate The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, four additional members of the Order were appointed: His Royal Highness, Prince Philip, The Duke of Edinburgh, Dame Margaret Bazley, Sir Peter Jackson, and Dame Malvina Major. Dame Malvina is with us this evening.
Instituted by Royal Warrant “to recognise outstanding service to the Crown and people of New Zealand in a civil or military capacity”, the Order of New Zealand has been represented by distinguished New Zealanders. Each member has contributed significantly to our country – its past, our present, and to our future.
Within a relatively short period of time, we have seen the Order flourish. Each member has lent their mana to the Order, and to the whakapapa of the individual medals that pass from one New Zealand legend, to another.
Tonight we celebrate that very special history, and reflect on the people who are part of the Order’s story. We also reflect on the leadership demonstrated by each member, past and present, and the wonderful role models they are to our nation and its greatest asset – our young people.
In that regard I acknowledge the more youthful faces around the tables, who have been invited to this dinner as protégés – individually and collectively. When I read your respective backgrounds, I was struck by your achievements. I introduce Miss Portia Holt guest of Dame Miriam, Miss Ella Edington guest of Rt Hon Jim Bolger, Mr Timothy Carpenter a guest of Dame Malvina, and Miss Te Ronopai Clay guest of Ken Douglas. Welcome, and I encourage you to make the most of your time here this evening with these New Zealand legends.
I also acknowledge our other guests, the people who our ONZ members chose to accompany them here tonight. Welcome to you also.
Finally, tonight we commemorate the 25th Anniversary of our nation’s highest accolade. We celebrate the service that each Member of the Order has given in adding to the character of Aotearoa New Zealand and the fabric of our society. We also look forward to a bright future for the young people here, and the many others elsewhere, both through the example of the ONZ members and their own endeavours.
To close I will quote Sir Isaac Newton, who once said: “if I have seen farther, it is by standing on the shoulders of giants.” I’m not sure that your “ONZ” shoulders are up to us standing on them still, but by your example you, our giants, know that we appreciate the vista you have shared. Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, I thank you and please do enjoy the rest of this evening. Kia ora huihui tātou katoa.