NZ Federation of Women's Institutes 90th AGM

To Jeanette Andrews, President of the New Zealand Federation of Women’s Institutes and your fellow national executive members,  to Nicky Guy, Palmerston North City Councillor,  to Iain Lees-Galloway, Member of Parliament for Palmerston North,  to representatives of the National Council of Women, Rural Women New Zealand, and The New Horizons for Women Trust, - and to everyone here, good evening, tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou katoa.

This is the fifth time I have attended the Annual General Meeting and, as Patron, I am delighted and honoured to be here and to have the privilege of taking a part in the celebration of the Federation’s 90th birthday.

Since 1921, many women from all over New Zealand have found the Institute a great way of getting to know each other and share home-making skills.  Women with little time but big hearts who made the banners we see tonight, and who continue to make a big contribution to communities today.  Women whose families are enriched by their determination to keep learning and to pass on knowledge and skills.  Women who demonstrate ideals of collaboration, friendship, support and charity.

The Federation has served the members well and flexed to the needs as society changes and demands change of us all if we’re to exist within it.

While the First World War claimed the lives of more than 18,000 New Zealand soldiers over a four-year period, the second wave of the 1918 influenza epidemic killed almost 8600 people in less than two months, and this from a small population of about a million.  In 1921 the plight of the country was bleak indeed but women were enabled to support each other by the creation of the Women’s Institutes, leading to a strength and a focus on getting through the hard time.

Over the last year, we New Zealanders have weathered the September earthquake, the Pike River Mine disaster and then the February earthquake.  There is more news today of damaging Christchurch aftershocks with loss of power and water.  We will need to help those affected to endure the physical and psychological trauma and grief.  We will need to support the effort to repair and replace infrastructure and homes.

It has been encouraging to see the resilience and initiatives to help in these times of pain and sorrow.  Members show determination and selflessness by helping others in the face of their own or their family’s difficulties.

Many branches have raised funds and given practical help for those in need.  The Colyton branch’s ‘Cook-up for Christchurch’ twice collected home baking, amounting to almost 400 kilograms of baked goods.  It meant that many of those affected were comforted by receiving home baking.

For the many other initiatives from branches across New Zealand, I congratulate you all and I encourage you to continue that support, which will be needed as long as people are getting back on their feet and rebuilding – in the face of the many set backs.

Jeanette, it was lovely to see that you have recently been visiting Federations in the north, including Kaikohe and Whangarei.  Anand and I have just returned from a farewell visit to the Northland region where we visited four wonderful Kaikohe schools and Anand opened the new Northland Events Centre in Whangarei in time for the Rugby World Cup.

The region has its own character and culture, as has each region of our country.  We all stand together in successes of all kinds and in troubles equally.  National organisations like this one give the country a strength at its core.

I have been proud in my role to be a part of you and am almost daily reminded of you all when I see the legacy of the NZ Federation of Women’s Institutes sitting proudly in Government House.

That legacy, as you all will be aware, is that of the tapestry chairs that sit in the Norrie State Dining Room, and also down the main hall.

The May/June edition of “Home and Country” gave details those chairs and a background to them.  They were commissioned by Lady Barbara Freyberg in June 1951 and handed over to the house in September that same year.

This year is the 60th anniversary so it seems appropriate for me to give a parting gift to each of the 48 branches.  The gift is a book, made by Rebekah of the Government House Staff, which features a photo of each of the 38 chairs that are constantly remarked on by visitors to the House.  The book will ensure that there is a record with each branch of the important link that Government House has with you and, through that link, with the heartland of New Zealand.

We have brought with us for you to see some delightful placemats with embroidery depicting native birdlife.  They were presented by the Federation to Lady Beverly Reeves in 1990 and recently laundered after their time in storage.

May I thank you all for your friendship, the inspiration you have given me and your generosity.  I have loved being the patron of this huge organisation which espouses values of care and togetherness.  Thank you, too, for the honour of presenting the awards recognising outstanding members.

Would you please now join me for the last time, with an enthusiastic round of applause to celebrate the official opening of the New Zealand Federation of Women’s Institutes 90th Annual General Meeting.