Kia ora koutou
I would like to wish you all a warm welcome to Government House this afternoon.
I’d like to specifically acknowledge: Todd Harper, President Boys’ Brigade New Zealand; Mike Brewer, National Director Boys’ Brigade New Zealand; Sue Cammell, National Commissioner Girls’ Brigade New Zealand; Judith Middleton, National Queens Award Committee member Girls’ Brigade New Zealand; Elizabeth Dickens, Administrative Director Girls’ Brigade New Zealand.
It gives me great pleasure to have the opportunity to meet some of our best and brightest young people here today. To the four Girls’ Brigade Queen’s Award recipients and the nineteen Boys’ Brigade King’s Badge Award recipients - my sincerest congratulations to you all.
Your achievement is a culmination of many years of dedication, service and challenging yourself to be the best you can be. It represents your commitment to upholding the principles that the Girls’ and Boys’ Brigade embody.
I am certain that your work towards these awards has challenged you and pushed you out of your comfort zone. But I am confident the lessons you have learned along the way will help to guide you as you embark upon the next chapter of your lives.
It was the great New Zealander, Sir Edmund Hillary who said: “Challenge is what makes us. It will be the end when we stop looking for new challenges.”
I commend each and every one of you for daring to take up the challenge of achieving your Queens and King’s Badge Awards. It is a significant task which involves great devotion to serving others, connecting with your community and your church, and embarking on new endeavours and hobbies. In the process, I am sure you have formed lifelong friendships with your fellow Brigade members.
I hope in the service of others you have learnt a great deal about yourselves and the leaders you wish to be. I trust that your achievement today has encouraged each of you to continue to embrace the challenges that present themselves, knowing that you have the fortitude to overcome them.
You should be proud to carry on the legacy of thousands of other young people who have realised their full potential through their involvement in the Boys’ and Girls’ Brigade.
Though the world has changed significantly since Sir William Alexander Smith founded the Boys’ Brigade in 1883, the values this programme upholds are as integral as ever – instilling our young people with confidence, respect, service, and discipline through faith.
We are fortunate to live in a country with such possibility for adventure and community engagement where these skills can be honed. Our brilliant natural environment allows for camping and tramping trips where friendships, a love of the outdoors and a capacity for ingenuity are forged. Our love of sport and games lets us learn the value of teamwork and the importance of selfless leadership.
These values are also upheld by those who so generously give their time as Brigade leaders. Your commitment to shaping our next generation of young New Zealanders is commendable. I would like to take this opportunity to extend my deepest thanks to all of the leaders, volunteers and staff from around the country who support these programmes.
I am pleased to see so many family members in the room, and I thank you all for being here to celebrate alongside your children, grandchildren and siblings. As a very proud father, I understand the importance of the supporting role we play in ensuring our children can achieve all that they are capable of. I know that you will all be immeasurably proud of their achievement.
To the Award recipients – I implore you to go forth in your chosen careers guided by all that you have learnt during your time in the Girls’ and Boys’ Brigade. Let your faith, discipline and courage lead the way, but do not forget the sense of fun and adventure you have gained in the process.
Once again, my sincerest congratulations to the Award recipients. You and your families should all be extremely proud of this outstanding achievement.
Kia ora huihui tātou katoa.
If you are able, I now invite you all to stand for the singing of the National Anthem.