Mystique Exhibition

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: Your Excellency Admiral (Rtd) Sureesh Mehta, High Commissioner for India to New Zealand; Dr Richard Grant, Executive Director of the Asia New Zealand  Foundation; Anusha Narayan, Chair of the Wellington Hindi School and your fellow school board members; Diana Clark, Acting Director of the Office of Ethnic Affairs; Distinguished Guests otherwise; Ladies and Gentlemen.  In the context of this gathering may I add the greetings: Namaste, Namashkar, Sat Sri Akal, Kam Cho, Salaam Walaikuim.

It has been with pleasure that my wife Susan and I accepted the invitation from the Wellington Hindi School to attend the opening of its exhibition, Mystique—Beyond Comprehension, which focuses on Indian culture and heritage and its wider contribution. I have been asked to open the exhibition, but before doing so, I would like to speak briefly about the messages that underpin it.

India’s recent and rapid advance, and the concomitant economic, political and military influence it increasingly wields in regional and international affairs, has been the subject of much discussion in academic, political and diplomatic circles.  The just-closed Commonwealth Games in Delhi, which Susan and I had the honour to attend to support the New Zealand athletes, was just one example of that progress.

Much of this recent focus sometimes suggests that the position that India increasingly holds is an aberration or is somehow unusual.   However, with the exception of the period marked by rise of the Western powers in the 19th century, India, along with China, has historically always been significant player in regional affairs.

India represents one of the world's oldest civilisations.  That civilisation has been sufficiently strong and resilient enough to not only survive, but also prosper and evolve for thousands of years.  It is a high complex culture and heritage which the subtitle to this exhibition, Beyond Comprehension, amply underscores.

The influence of Indian culture, heritage, knowledge and learning has not been confined to the subcontinent or more widely in Asia. As the American novelist Mark Twain rightly said in the following words: "India is the cradle of the human race, the birthplace of human speech, the mother of history, the grandmother of legend, and the great grand mother of tradition. Our most valuable and most astrictive materials in the history of man are treasured up in India only!"

That contribution also extends to the offerings made by the Indian Diaspora in places far from Asia and India.  One of those nations has been New Zealand.

Until the period after the Second World War, people of Indian origin lived here in relatively small numbers.  Among them were my parents, who had migrated to New Zealand from Fiji in the 1920s, their own parents having migrated from India to Fiji.   Since the 1980s, the Indian Diaspora living here has grown and more than 100,000 people of Indian descent now call Aotearoa New Zealand their home.

As I have mentioned on many previous occasions, New Zealanders of Indian descent have contributed much to our country's economy and society in a number of ways through participation in many disciplines including business, medicine, the law, sport and academia.

Like all migrants to New Zealand, whether they were from Asia, Pacific or Europe, and whether they came on canoes, sailing ships, ocean liners or aeroplanes, they were all seeking to build a new and better life here in New Zealand.  As noted New Zealand historian, the late Dr Michael King, once wrote: "In a country inhabited for a mere one thousand years, everybody is an immigrant or a descendent of an immigrant."
 
This exhibition, which aims to provide a window into Indian culture and heritage for the wider Wellington community, also emphasises that contribution to New Zealand.  As a part of the wider Diwali festival, Mystique, sends a powerful message of the power of diversity to enhance cultural understanding.

I therefore want to take this opportunity to thank the Wellington Hindi School for organising this exhibition.  Since 1992, the School has worked to encourage the use of the Hindi language and promote culture awareness and positive self-identity among young Wellingtonians of Indian descent.  I congratulate you for your work.  As Patron of the Asia New Zealand Foundation I would also like to register my thanks for the support it has given to this exhibition. 

And on what I trust is a suitable note of congratulations, it gives me great pleasure to declare the Mystique exhibition open. 

With the formalities completed, 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.