E nga rau rangatira mā, e kui mā, e koro mā, e huihui mai nei I tenei waa, tēnei aku mihi māhana ki a koutou. Nau mai, haere mai ra ki Te Whare o te Kawana Tinara o Whanganui-o-Tara.
I particularly acknowledge:
Air Marshal Tony Davies, Chief of Defence Force
- Senior Leaders of the New Zealand Defence Force
- Award Recipients and their families
- Sword recipients and Top Recruits, and
- Members of the Armed Forces including those from Foreign and Commonwealth armed forces here today.
As your Governor-General, and as your Commander-in-Chief, I extend my warmest welcome to Government House.
On behalf of all New Zealanders, I extend my thanks to you for your commitment and service – whether it be in your international capacity, contributing to the maintenance of peace and security – or providing invaluable assistance to people in New Zealand and the wider Pacific in the aftermath of extreme weather events and natural disasters.
On a personal level, Richard and I are hugely grateful for Defence Force assistance that enables us to fulfil our roles – whether it be through the support provided by a succession of highly efficient Aides-de-Camp – or enabling us to visit to remote places and undertake official engagements.
We are very much looking forward to our voyage next year on Canterbury to Tokelau, which as you know is part of the realm of New Zealand, but is infrequently visited by Governors-General because of its isolation.
Defence Force personnel play an inextricable role in my ceremonial programme, participating in parades of Guards of Honour at commemorations; at investiture ceremonies; and haka and pōwhiri at State Welcomes for visiting Heads of State.
The impeccable performances I see in your ceremonial parades indicate the level of attention you give to preparation, discipline and teamwork within your units.
Just last Saturday, I had the pleasure of witnessing that precision and professionalism in the 2025 parade of graduating officer cadets in Waiouru.
It was a moment to reflect on the high standards we set for our leaders in the Defence Force, and the responsibilities they bear.
Today, I welcome this opportunity to join you in acknowledging good work by good people in our Defence Force.
To all the finalists for the Person of the Year Award, this event celebrates your steadfast commitment to military service, your willingness to make the interests of the team paramount, and your determination to set high standards of performance for yourselves.
It takes courage and commitment to perform above what is expected of you. You bring credit to yourselves, and you bring credit to the New Zealand Defence Force. Your families must be so proud and delighted to see you receive this recognition.
I wish you all the very best in your careers in Defence, wherever they may take you. I hope the awards you have received encourage you to seize opportunities to grow and learn in your roles, and enjoy the satisfactions of a job well done.
I also hope that everyone here today can look forward to time out with your loved ones over the holiday season, and can return to your roles with renewed energy for the challenges and opportunities in the year ahead.
Kia ora huihui tātou katoa.