Speech
Diabetes New Zealand
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E nga mana, e nga reo, e nga iwi o nga hau e wha e huihui nei, tēnei aku mihi māhana ki a koutou. Kia ora tātou katoa. Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, warm greetings to you all.
I specifically acknowledge: Lady Beattie and Sir Eion Edgar, Patrons of Diabetes New Zealand - tēnā korua; and Chris Baty and Joe Asghar, President and Chief Executive respectively of Diabetes New Zealand - tēnā korua.
It’s a great pleasure for Janine and me to welcome you all to Government House this evening to celebrate a very special milestone – the Golden Anniversary of Diabetes New Zealand. This is an organisation that has for 50 years promoted the care, support and wellbeing of New Zealanders living with diabetes.
It is important that we celebrate that since 1962, Diabetes New Zealand has made a significant contribution to our country’s health sector. In addition to providing care and support, Diabetes NZ has provided advocacy, education, research, and publicity for those affected by diabetes.
While the care and support for those affected by this condition are clearly the central focus for Diabetes NZ, publicity and informing New Zealanders is also important if this organisation is to make any headway.
New Zealanders need to know that diabetes is a major and increasingly significant cause of disability and premature death in our country. It reduces the quality of life for those affected, their family, and their communities and it robs children and mokopuna of their parents and grandparents before their time.
New Zealanders need to be aware that more than 200,000 people in our country have diabetes and an estimated 100,000 other New Zealanders may have the condition without knowing. Almost 7% of our total population, that is more than all of Te Awamutu (15,400), Blenheim (30,300), Gisborne (34,300), Invercargill (49,200), Whangarei (52,200), New Plymouth (52,500) and Nelson (60,800) put together, have diabetes. The future ramifications for our health system and the people living with the disease are alarming.
These are significant numbers, and it’s essential those in local communities and nationally we continue to provide support and services for those who live with diabetes, concurrently promoting healthier lifestyles that can improve the lives of those with the disease and prevent the onset of type-2 diabetes.
Those here tonight know very well the details around the ramifications that diabetes, in all its forms, has on those living with it. Occasions like this one enable Diabetes New Zealand to gather your community, ensuring its messages are set out before New Zealanders.
I think New Zealanders would be interested to know that Diabetes New Zealand is seeking to do its work in a much more efficient way. I offer my congratulations on the recent coming together of the many local societies around the country to achieve a single unified organisation.
There is an Māori proverb which goes: Ko koe ki tēnā, ko ahau ki tēnei kīwai o te kete—You at that and I at this handle of the basket. With ‘branches’, that work closely together to achieve a common goal and speak with a single voice, carrying the vision and mission of Diabetes New Zealand to New Zealanders is easier and much more compelling.
Well done to you all on that exciting step forward as you celebrate your 50th anniversary, and look to the future.
And on that note I will close wishing all of you gathered here tonight good health - Kia ora huihui tātou katoa.