Visit to King's High School in Dunedin

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Acknowledgements and welcome

E nga mana, e nga reo, rau rangatahi ma, e huihui nei, Tēnā koutou katoa. Distinguished hosts and students, greetings. Also thank you for the wonderful welcome we have received. 

Matenga Gray and Dan Reddiex, Chair of the Board and Rector of King’s High School respectively; distinguished guests otherwise, Ladies and Gentlemen and young men of King’s: This is the first school visit we have made since I was sworn in as Governor-General just over two weeks ago and it is something that Janine and I are pleased to have the opportunity to do.

Rugby World Cup

All around us, New Zealand has been overcome by Rugby World Cup fever. I expect most you will be feeling a little distracted by such an exciting time in our sporting history—I know I am!

You can be proud that the city you call home, Dunedin, has been the base for two teams and five international teams: Argentina, England, Georgia, Ireland, Italy, and Romania, will play here. Dunedin hosted a very exciting match between England and Argentina last weekend, and the next pool match, between Georgia and England, this weekend should also be a classic. 

There are 20 countries represented by their national rugby teams in New Zealand. What each team represents is more than just a collection of individuals who have chosen to excel in rugby in their home countries. Each player, regardless of the team they belong to, has shown a huge commitment and dedication to improving their play, and to being the best in their position for their nation, so they can participate.

Each team, as we have seen in the close matches so far, is here to do well, to win and has exemplified that winning spirit by playing great rugby.

A commitment to excellence underpins the entire competition and is what will be remembered long after the 2011 Rugby World Cup ends. Staying with the rugby theme: position, possession and pace was an important mantra of New Zealand Army rugby and is something that is relevant to many areas of our lives.

Excellence

As to position: As Governor-General and as a Board of Trustees member at Palmerston North Boys’ High School, I acknowledge the wonderful history and school vision that guides your learning here at King’s – “To strive for personal excellence.”

There is a Māori proverb that summarises the importance of striving for excellence:

Whāia te iti kahurangi
Ki te tūohu koe, me he maunga teitei
Pursue excellence – should you stumble, let it be before a lofty mountain

The message of the proverb is that you should always aim high so that if you do stumble along the way, and don’t quite reach your goals, you will still have the satisfaction from what you have already achieved, and it will be a better place than where you started! Striving to be the best that you can be in everything you do will ensure success at school, at home, in sport, and in your chosen career.

As to possession: In all that you do, make sure you own what you do. Own the good and equally own your mistakes. Especially in the case of the latter, own it, fix it, learn from it, and move on.

Excellence is something that can be achieved in all areas of our lives. Each one of us should always strive to excel in everything that we do. In my own case, I embarked on a life as a soldier in the New Zealand Army in 1972, just after I left school and long before many of you here were born! That may even include some staff! I had many unique and challenging experiences during my time in the Army. The pursuit of excellence was always emphasised in everything we did, be it in keeping fit, using weapons, training in the jungles of Malaysia, or peacekeeping in Southern Lebanon.

Although I wasn’t intending to become Governor-General at the age of 18, I was committed to working towards the next step in my career, and ensuring that I had as many opportunities as was possible. Joining the New Zealand Special Air Service was something else that I chose to do because they are the best at what they do, and I wanted to serve with the best!

End of year – coming up to exams

Well as to pace: I want to explain that as a parent. As your end-of-year examinations approach, I am sure you will all be busy studying or busy looking busy studying. Whatever approach you’re taking, bear in mind examinations are a time where you can practice personal excellence. In doing so, you ensure your success and cement your years of learning – whether you are in the junior or senior school. I encourage everyone to be diligent in preparing for their exams. 

We have two teenage boys who are approaching their end-of-year exams at the moment. One is doing NCEA level 1, the other NCEA level 3. I can tell you that we will be issuing the same advice to them!

As I mentioned earlier, having the Rugby World Cup coincide with this important time in your school year is somewhat distracting, but I trust that you will be sensible and dedicated to study in the weeks ahead. I wish each student the best in the coming exams

Conclusion

Thank you all once again for giving my wife Janine and me such a warm welcome to King’s. What I see before me is a group of young men that have neat opportunities and enormous potential to achieve great things. You young men are part of New Zealand’s greatest asset – our rangatahi – our youth. The future of Aotearoa has always been in the hands of its young men and women. One day you will be leaders in your communities, cities, or of our country, or just maybe the captain of the All Blacks.

No reira, tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou, kia ora koutou katoa.