Northland/Kaikohe Schools Visit

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 morning (Sign).

I then specifically greet you: Don Edmonds, John Tapene and Phil Macomber, Board Chair, Principal and Deputy Principal respectively of Northland College; Maraea Kea and Chicky Rudkin, Board Chair and Principal respectively of Kaikohe East School; Kuia Wihongi and Phil Gordon, Board Chair and Principal respectively of Kaikohe Intermediate School; Kelly Yakas and Hamish Ruawai, Board Chair and Principal respectively of Kaikohe West School; Esther Rakete, Board Chair of Te Kura Kaupapa Māori ō Kaikohe; Hirini Tau, speaker on behalf of Ngapuhi ki te Hauauru; Nau Epiha, speaker on behalf of the schools represented; trustees of school boards present; staff and students; Distinguished Guests otherwise; Ladies and Gentlemen; boys and girls. 

It has been a pleasure for my wife Susan and me to have the opportunity to visit Northland and some of the schools in this beautiful part of the country.

This region holds many special connections for Susan and I. We have visited every year that we have been in the role of Governor-General, specifically for Waitangi Day. However, this is the second time that we have made a focused visit to the region to meet its people and learn of its future plans.

At the outset I should mention that before coming into this role, of which we are now in the last three months, our family enjoyed holidaying in Omapere and always look back on that time fondly.

This occasion presents the opportunity to speak to you all briefly about the significance of this part of our country and how you all can harness the advantages of living in such a beautiful and historic region.

In that regard I have four points to make. The first on the proximity of the ocean, the second on the majesty of the forests, the third on the fertility of the land and the fourth, which encapsulates all of those features, is the beauty of the Te Tai Tokerau region.

The first is the proximity to the ocean. Almost no part of Northland is more than 30 minutes drive from the coast and north of Kaitaia, it is possible to get from one coast to the other very quickly. 

The sweeping west coast is pounded by huge ocean swells from the Tasman. Immense sand dunes stretch along a coast broken by the two large harbours of Kaipara and Hokianga, and the two small harbours of Herekino and Whāngāpē.

The gentle east coast with numerous headlands, bays, beaches, harbours and tidal inlets, contrasts the west and remains an annual holiday escape for many New Zealanders. From the time we have spent looking out from the view at Omapere, across the Hokianga harbour to the sand dunes on the northern side, this part of our country has a extraordinary coastline.

The second point references the region’s majestic forests, of which Northland boasts more than 30 native forest reserves.  Although many of the region's kauri forests were felled during the 19th century, some areas still exist where the rare giant grows tall. New Zealand's largest tree, Tane Mahuta, the Lord of the Forest, stands in the Waipoua Forest south of the Hokianga Harbour.

That forest also boast Te Matua Ngahere, the 'Father of the Forest', which has a trunk over five metres in diameter, believed to be the widest girth of any kauri tree in New Zealand. Close by are the Four Sisters, a graceful collection of four tall trees in close proximity. Also near Te Matua Ngahere is the Phantom Tree, believed to be the second largest in the forest. 

During our time in Northland for Waitangi Day this year, we had the pleasure of visiting the Manginangina Kauri Walk in the Puketi Forest where we experienced the majesty of the region’s forests first-hand. Taking a walk in one of Northland’s forests acts as a reminder of how old our relatively young country is and how important it is for us to cherish and protect our native flora.    They are a spectacular collection that existed long before we walked this land and will be here long after we have gone.  They speak of a permanence of the land that is greater than all of us.

My third point references the fertility of the land, and that Te Tai Tokerau’s economic success is largely based on agriculture. Horticulture, particularly fruit farming, has always been a distinctive feature of the region. For years before 1900, Whāngārei was one of the country’s most important fruit-growing districts, and still maintains that position due to its warm climate.

When the mighty power of the bordering oceans, the majesty of the forests and the fertility of the land are in combination, a magnificent beauty emerges.

Northland, the birthplace of New Zealand, where the founding document of government, the Treaty of Waitangi, was signed, and the site of our nation’s first capital, is your place of belonging, it is your home. 

Your education is the most significant contributor in giving you a broader understanding of who you are, where we have come from, and how our world works.

Beginning your education journey in Te Tai Tokerau then holds many benefits that every student should take advantage of. Along with the strong base of Ngāpuhi in the region and the rich cultural heritage that accompanies that whanaungatanga, are the strengths that can be taken from the environment around you.

In that regard I issue this advice to the students of Northland College, Kaikohe Intermediate, Kaikohe East and West Primary Schools and Te Kura Kaupapa Māori ō Kaikohe:

Like the powerful ocean that surrounds this land, hold strong to your values.

Like the mighty Kauri that stands tall in the forest, grow tall in your community and lead by example, always reaching upwards to achieve your goals.

Like the fertile land that ensures the success of this region, do you best in everything you do and you will find success.

French scientist Marie Curie is an example of someone who showed great determination throughout her life. She was a pioneer in the field of radioactivity and the first person to be honoured with two Nobel Prizes.  She once said and I quote:

“Life is not easy for any of us. But what of that? We must have perseverance and above all confidence in ourselves. We must believe that we are gifted for something, and that this thing, at whatever cost, must be attained.”

And on that note of encouragement and anticipation in visiting Kaikohe Intermediate and Kaikohe East and West Primary Schools, I will close in New Zealand’s first language Māori, by offering everyone greetings and wishing you all good health and fortitude in your endeavours.

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