Speech
ANZAC Day Address
Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen: I begin by greeting everyone in the languages of the realm of New Zealand—English, Māori, Cook Island Maori, Niuean, Tokelauan and New Zealand Sign Language. Greetings, Kia Ora, Kia Orana, Fakalofa Lahi Atu, Taloha Ni and as it is the morning (Sign).
This is my fifth and last Anzac Day address as Governor-General and designated Commander-in-Chief. I have been proud to lead our collective remembrance for five years but my term of office will end in August. I think it is fitting that Lieutenant-General Jerry Mateparae will take up the baton for next year.
Veterans and their representatives have marched to local war memorials on this day for as long as we can remember. As the sky lightens, they have gathered – the elderly, the adults, and the children who are learning about the collective memory we have established as Anzac Day. They wear red poppies to symbolise the fields of Flanders and they are all quiet to listen to the melancholy bugle at the Dawn Ceremony.
This day enables consideration of what it is that takes a soldier into conflict. New Zealanders landing from ships on to the Turkish foreshore were Pakeha, Maori and Pasifika men, all aligned in the wish to free the world from unwanted influence.
Looking back now, at the last five years of memories of Anzac Days, I think particularly of this day in 2009, when I had the privilege of representing New Zealand at Gallipoli and of leading the delegation there. On that barren piece of land, I cast my mind to accounts of the battles of 1915 and thought also of the idea of Anzac Day beginning.
Some still argue persuasively that it was in that place of conflict and death on the Gallipoli peninsula that New Zealand defined itself as a nation, and that it was there, with our men fighting alongside Australians, that the strong bond with our neighbouring country was confirmed.
Today we honour those who fought for New Zealand in Gallipoli - and elsewhere - many of whom died doing so. We acknowledge the bravery and sacrifice that was made in our interests.
We continue to observe the continuing dangers of military service and remember the tragic loss, only one year ago today, of the three RNZAF helicopter crewmen: Flight Lieutenant Hayden Madsen, Flying Officer Daniel Gregory, and Corporal Ben Carson. We can recollect also, since that time, the demise of Private Kirifi Mila and Lieutenant Tim O’Donnell who both died while serving in Afghanistan.
These losses, and some others in recent years, have been keenly felt by other servicemen and women and their friends and family. Douglas Dibley, New Zealand’s longest-living Gallipoli veteran, who died in 1997 once spoke of his time there in the following words:- ‘You are a whole band of cobbers. Each one helps the other… there’s a great sealing of friendship among you’.
The two years since Susan and I were in Gallipoli, have been a time of sorrow and trouble for many, here and in Australia.
New Zealand has suffered devastating earthquakes in Christchurch, and the mining disaster on the West Coast. In Australia, there have been ruinous floods and fires, also, with much loss of life. These are terrible events, which will resonate in our respective countries for years to come.
The humanity and solidarity exhibited by Australians and New Zealanders towards one another has been a source of help and comfort over this difficult time. Our two countries are united by memory of our shared history both on the battlefield and keeping our respective homes operational. The Christchurch memorial service in March saw the unprecedented attendance here of Australia’s Governor-General, Prime Minister and Leader of the Opposition.
On Anzac Day we draw on these connections. We draw on them to think not only of what it is that makes a nation go to war, but what it is that makes a nation, and what a benefit it is for our nation to have a steadfast nearby friend.
On this Anzac Day, let us look to what Douglas Dibley called “our cobbers,” and care for them, and seek to create with them a world of peace.
On that note I will close, and in our country’s first language Māori, offering greetings and wishing everyone good health and fortitude in your endeavours. No reira, tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou, kia ora, kia kaha, tēnā koutou katoa.