Order of New Zealand Dinner

To view an image from the pre-dinner reception, click here.

I begin by greeting everyone in the languages of the realm of New Zealand, in English, Māori, Cook Island Māori, Niuean, Tokelauan and New Zealand Sign Language.  Greetings, Kia Ora, Kia Orana, Fakalofa Lahi Atu, Taloha Ni and as it is the evening (Sign)

I then specifically greet you: Members of the Order of New Zealand and your wives and husbands; Maarten Wevers, Chief Executive of the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet, and your wife Louise; Rebecca Kitteridge, Secretary of the Cabinet, Clerk of the Executive Council and Secretary and Registrar of the Order of New Zealand; Lt General Sir Jerry Mateparae, Governor-General Designate and Lady Janine; Alec McLean, Deputy Official Secretary at Government House, and your wife Dinah; Distinguished Guests otherwise; Ladies and Gentlemen. 

It is a great pleasure for Susan and me to welcome you to Government House for this Dinner in honour of the Members of the Order of New Zealand. 

This dinner, which is a biennial gathering of members of the Order, serves three purposes which this year can be summarised by the words: welcome, acknowledgement and farewell.

As to welcome, while it is two years since the last time we gathered at Government House in Auckland, it is four years since the dinner was held here in Government House Wellington in June 2007.

As many here will know, this House was formally reopened in late March and two highly successful open days occurred in early April.  These gave the public an opportunity to look through the House at close quarters.  Nearly 10,000 people did this on 9 and 10 April with many more taking an opportunity to spend time in the grounds.

The 30-month long Conservation Project literally saw the House pulled apart and put back together again.  There will be some aspects that will seem familiar, and others that have changed.  In this, the Norrie State Dining Room with its walls containing a remarkable gift of that Vice Regal couple, years of paint have been methodically and carefully stripped to reveal rimu panelling in its original glory. 

There are also the aspects that cannot be so easily seen.  Inside many of the walls is steel framing that connects to a massive concrete service trench that runs the length of the House.  This carries all the water, waste, ventilation, electricity, gas and other services, and has given the building enhanced seismic strength.  The entirely new roof consists of about 200,000 clay tiles, sourced from the same quarry in England as the original a century ago.

Susan and I hope you will enjoy the ambience of the remainder of the restored House and its art and artefacts this evening.  We look forward to joining you in that endeavour after dinner.

I turn now to my second point, that of acknowledgement.  I would like to note, by name, some New Zealand-based Members of the Order, who have sent their apologies for not being able to be here, those who have passed away, and those who have been appointed to the Order in the very recent past.

In a wider sense, however, I want first to acknowledge the achievements of the people here this evening.  The Order of New Zealand is our country’s highest honour, awarded to a select few, as it is said, “to recognise outstanding service to the Crown and people of New Zealand in a civil or military capacity.”

The achievements of the Members of the Order represent a signal contribution to a wide range of fields that defies simple lists or summaries.  All of your contributions, however, can be described as being united by the determination and perseverance to achieve an unwritten and unspoken goal—the betterment of New Zealand.  I thank you again for the service that stands underneath the honour conferred by the country.

May I then acknowledge those New Zealand-based Members who have sent apologies for not being able to be with us. They are:

• Rt Helen Clark, who while normally resident in New York is in New Zealand at the moment but is unable to attend;
• Sir Murray Halberg;
• Sir Miles Warren;
• Dr Clifford Whiting; and
• Sir Paul Reeves.

As is widely known, Sir Paul is very unwell.  We send our best regards to Sir Paul, Lady Beverley and their family at this difficult time.

I would also like to acknowledge two members of the Order who passed away since our last dinner at Government House in Auckland on 15 October 2009.  They were:

• Dame Vera Blumhardt, who died two days after our last dinner, and
• Hon Tini Whetu Marama Tirakatene-Sullivan, who died less than a month ago and whose memorial service occurred at the Wellington Cathedral of St Paul this morning.

They, and those who have gone before them, will be greatly missed.

I also want to acknowledge the two newest members of the Order, who have been invested since our last dinner.  They are: 

• Rt Hon Helen Clark; and
• Sir Bob Charles, doyen and champion golfer, who is with us this evening.

I now turn to my final point which is one of farewell.  In 12 days’ time the tenure of Susan and I in this magnificent House will come to an end, and a week later our successors, Sir Jerry and Lady Janine Mateparae, will take up residence.  We wish you both all the very best in that endeavour.

As every Governor-General will attest, to serve the country as the representative of The Queen of New Zealand, is literally an honour and a privilege.  Wherever Susan and I have travelled and whoever we have met, we have been privileged to see New Zealand and New Zealanders at their very best. 

I maintain that point even though the last year of our term has included at least three national tragedies that no Governor-General has had to encounter for many years.  I say “very best” because even at those times, many of the qualities that make this country and its people special—a good-hearted concern for others and a practical can-do attitude—have come to the fore in abundance.  This optimism, positive spirit and determination of people we have met, even in the face of adversity, will be among our most treasured memories.

And on that note, emphasising welcome and acknowledgement, and registering our farewell to you, Members of the Order of New Zealand, I will close in our country’s first language offering everyone greetings and wishing everyone good health and fortitude in your endeavours.  No reira, tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou, kia ora, kia kaha, tēnā koutou katoa.