Wellington Children's Hospital

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: Bill Day, Chair of the Wellington Hospitals and Health Foundation and Mrs Day; your fellow trustees, Shaan Winiata Stevens and Alick Shaw; Mary Bonner and Dr Geoffrey Robinson, Chief Executive and Chief Medical Officer respectively of the Capital and Coast District Health Board; staff and friends of Wellington Children’s Hospital; Distinguished Guests otherwise; Ladies and Gentlemen. 

It is a great pleasure for Susan and I welcome you all to the superbly restored Government House for this dinner in aid of Wellington Children’s Hospital.

At the outset it seems important to acknowledge the Wellington Hospitals and Health Foundation which is the official charity for the Children’s Hospital and which has arranged your attendance for this special occasion.

The Foundation’s remit is to provide additional equipment, support and help to patients, their families and staff supplementary to the state funding that hospitals receive .  The pivotal component of that assistance is only made possible through community generosity and support –which you all are demonstrating in large measure by supporting this evening.

I know that our dinner awaits but I wish to speak briefly on child health in New Zealand and the importance of facilities such as Wellington Children’s Hospital, for their wellbeing.

Established in 1912, and formerly known as King Edward VII Memorial Hospital for Children, Wellington Children’s Hospital celebrates its centenary next year.  Congratulations are due to the hospital on the beginning of that important milestone year.  Edward VII the son of Queen Victoria who reigned between 1901 and 1910 giving his name to the Edwardian era in art and fashion and architecture provides a link with our venue this evening.  This Government House, which was built between 1908 and 1910, celebrated its centenary in October last year, has thus been a neighbour for its lifetime and, as such, holds a special connection with the hospital.  Among what are known as the Norrie portraits is one of King Edward VII in the upper part of the main stairway near the Taupaepae entrance.

The connection between Government House and the hospital generally has been demonstrated on a number of occasions during this term.  In 2009 I opened the new Wellington Regional Hospital and in the year before there came the memorable unveiling of the new home for the much-loved Royal Doulton tiles featuring nursery rhyme characters salvaged from the old children’s hospital.   The tiles are now on a wall forming a link between past and present parts of the hospital.

Children are the future of this country and also one of the most vulnerable groups in society.  Wellington Children’s Hospital has a crucial role in providing health care to the region’s young people in a catchment area including Taranaki, going across to the Hawkes Bay, then Wairarapa, Manawatu, Wellington and Marlborough.

This meant that last year, the hospital saw more than 32,000 young patients.  This figure included approximately 4,000 births – including a Satyanand granddaughter, 20,000 outpatient visits, and more than 21,000 radiology visits.

As New Zealand’s first children’s hospital, its contributions to the community have been significant.  With an increasing population and resultant need for increased resources and facilities to care for the young people in need, the hospital has continued to expand and improve.

The planned redevelopment of the Wellington Children’s Hospital seems essential in order to provide the best possible care as well as a warm and friendly environment for its young patients.

I understand that in the plan lies acquisition of ‘state of the art’ paediatric medical equipment, new children’s playgrounds as well as a toy computer and book replacement programme.

Additionally, a large part of what makes a friendly and warm environment is, of course, the legendary staff at the Wellington Children’s Hospital.  Thanks are due in full to those who have the particularly difficult task of caring for sick children.

I am reminded, as to this, of something said by my predecessor the Viscount Cobham, who was Governor-General from 1957-1962.  Speaking of healing and comfort in a speech to a nursing graduation ceremony in 1958, Cobham said as follows:-

“However wonderful may be the gifts of science to the doctor and surgeon… no machine ever devised can make the very special and human contribution toward the care of the sick that is achieved by the doctor and the nurse.”

That seems to be a suitable note of gratitude on which to close in New Zealand’s first language which I do by 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.