Aspiring Leaders’ Parliamentary Dinner

May I begin by greeting everyone in the languages of the realm of New Zealand, in English, Maori, 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 evening (Sign).

May I specifically greet you: Hon Christopher Finlayson, Attorney-General, our host this dinner, and fellow members of Parliament; Your Excellency George Fergusson, British High Commissioner, and Chris Bryant, Member of the House of Commons and Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office; Trevor Grice, this evening’s keynote speaker; John Sax, Chairman, and other members of the Aspiring Leaders Forum Trust Board; Distinguished Guests otherwise; Ladies and Gentlemen.

It is a pleasure to be part of the welcome at this evening’s Parliamentary Dinner for Aspiring Leaders as you begin your three day annual Forum in the capital.

I would also like to acknowledge Hon Bill English, who is unable to be here this evening, and Hon Nanaia Mahuta, who are hosting the four day Forum as well as a number of other MPs supporting this event and who are here as well; Rahui Katene, Chester Borrows, Nikki Kaye, Eric Roy, Nicky Wagner, Chris Auchinvole, Dr Paul Hutcheson, Chris Hipkins, Dr Rajen Prasad, Hon Parekura Horomia, Kelvin Davis, Louise Upston, Metiria Turei, Simon Bridges, Peseta Sam Lotu-Liga, Nanaia Mahuta, and Su’a William Sio. 

I would also like to register thanks for this second invitation as I had the privilege of addressing the Forum on my personal experience and path to leadership two years ago.

This year I will make some introductory remarks on the subject of leadership, and after dinner it will be my pleasure to join you to listen to the guest speaker for this year, Trevor Grice.

It goes without saying that the precincts of Parliament, where we meet this evening, is an obvious place to look for leaders and for leadership qualities.  Indeed, we read about the exploits of members of Parliament day-by-day and, increasingly in this digital and internet age provided by intranet and You Tube, for example, sometimes minute-by-minute!

And those examples are not just in the present, but also in the past.  For example, when you arrived at Parliament grounds you will have almost certainly seen the prominent statue of Richard John Seddon, New Zealand’s longest serving Head of Government, who was Premier from 1893 to 1906.  Across the road, outside the Old Government Buildings that is home of Victoria University’s Faculty of Law, is the statue of Prime Minister Peter Fraser, who signed the United Nations Charter, and up the road in Molesworth St is a statue of Sir Keith Holyoake, who was Prime Minister throughout the 1960s and later served as Governor-General.

Whilst we expect leadership from our MPs, we also know that leadership is a vital factor in every human group and venture, for those who are away from the public eye as much as for those who are under its gaze.

Each one of us has the capacity to develop in ourselves the qualities that can help us lead more constructive and productive lives, benefiting not only ourselves but also our families, our communities, and society at large.

Even at an individual level, these are qualities inherent in leadership on a larger scale. And the question of personal values and beliefs, which this Forum seeks to explore and develop in a non-partisan way, ties in strongly.

What the Aspiring Leaders Forum attempts to do with its annual gathering of young people from all throughout New Zealand is very positive.  In particular, I want to acknowledge all the hard work by volunteers that has gone on behind the scenes to make it happen.

The question of leadership is fascinating and a study of history can reap rich rewards. Sometimes it is a question of style, and sometimes a matter of achievement.

Some people lead from the front, with much fanfare and great achievements. Others lead just as effectively from behind, supporting colleagues to bring out and apply their own potential.  And for those that succeed, there are also those who fail.  The diversity of discussion on this subject is as wide as human nature is various.

I venture to suggest that Forum participants are in for a most stimulating time. Indeed, I add congratulations for whatever may have brought you to Wellington this year.

When we think of great leaders, which it is natural to do in this setting at Parliament tonight, there arises the question of words and deeds and the way they relate.

I would like to mention two specific cases of leadership that I believe are pertinent in this context.

On the international stage this year, 2009, is the bicentenary of the birth of one of the world’s most justly famous leaders – Abraham Lincoln. 

Lincoln was President of the United States at a time when it was anything but united. In fact the Civil War was tearing the Union apart.

In 1863, after the carnage of the Battle of Gettysburg his country was enduring its darkest night and facing the real likelihood of partition as a nation, and the continuation of the slave system in the South.

Lincoln was asked to speak briefly at the opening of a memorial cemetery to those who died on that battlefield. Another politician, a famous orator, was given the honour of the keynote address, and he spoke for over two hours.

Lincoln was of a different mould.  He was straight forward and down to earth. In just two and a half minutes he used the occasion to quietly restate his conviction of the morality of the Union cause.

Subsequently the words of the Gettysburg Address have traveled throughout the world and down the ages as the ultimate expression of the nature and value of democracy – “government of the people, by the people, for the people.”  As a contribution to this evening and your seminar, I have brought to offer as a handout, a copy of the Gettysburg address for you to admire.

In New Zealand we have many men and women who have over the years carried this message to their respective generation, couching it in the terms of their day and their particular area of interest and work.

Given we are in Parliament, it seems appropriate to refer to a New Zealand parliamentarian.  There are, of course, many one could refer to and I have already named three marked by statues around this city.

Another is not marked by a statue in Wellington, although there is a bronze bust of him inside the main foyer of this building.  He does, however, feature on New Zealand’s $50 note and is, of course, Sir Apirana Ngata.

Born 135 years ago this month, Sir Apirana was one of the giants of our nation’s history, not only for what he said, but most importantly for what he did.  Of Ngāti Porou descent and the holder of Arts and Law degrees, he was the first Māori to complete a degree at a New Zealand University. An MP for 38 years, he served as Minister of Māori Affairs and worked assiduously to support Māori development. 

One could spend the whole evening talking of his contribution to Māoridom and New Zealand and I would urge you to read Professor MPK Sorrenson’s biography of Sir Apirana in the Dictionary of New Zealand Biography, which can also be viewed online.

Sir Apirana’s words were recently repeated in his House by new MP Hekia Parata in her maiden speech just a short while ago.  I would like to finish with Ngata’s words as it sums up much of what we are considering tonight. In his exhortation to the youth of his day:

“Grow up and meet the needs of your generation, master the technologies of the modern world for your material well-being, cherish the treasures of your ancestors as a plume for your head, your soul given to God, author of all things.”

I have mentioned Hekia Parata and her accomplished speech.  There are also available, particularly if you have access to Google and You Tube, for example, other wonderful contributions to be seen and heard in their maiden addresses as Parliament began after the election by Chris Hipkins, Sam Lotu-Liga, Jacinda Ardern, Kelvin Davis, and Rajen Prasad, to name just six.  They all exhibit models of leadership to consider and they are, in the main, like yourselves, young people aspiring for a better New Zealand.

On that note I will close in New Zealand’s first language, Māori, by offering 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.