New Zealand Institute of International Affairs

May 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). 

May I specifically greet you, Hon John Key, Prime Minister of New Zealand and a number of Members of Parliament; Hon Russell Marshall, President of the New Zealand Institute of International Affairs and fellow members of the Institute; Your Excellency Pedro Herrera, Ambassador for Argentina to New Zealand and Dean of the Diplomatic Corps; Fellow Representatives of the Diplomatic Corps; Guests from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Victoria University of Wellington, the New Zealand Defence Force and from local government; distinguished guests otherwise; ladies and gentlemen.

In my case, as Patron of the Institute, and as a couple, being people who have had a long term association with the organisation, it gives my wife Susan and I great pleasure to attend this 75th birthday dinner.

Seventy-five years encompasses on any score a respectable passage of history.  During this time, maps of the world have been redrawn, and redrawn again; and international relationships have thrived, withered, and, in some cases, have been obliterated. 

When the Institute was established with 14 people in the Wellington home of the founding President W Downie Stewart in July 1934, Adolf Hitler, though, then, Chancellor of Germany was not yet Fuhrer.  He was to become the Head of State a month or so later; and New Zealanders were subsequently to be reminded how decisions taken elsewhere in the world could have a profound effect on their own lives.

This, of course, continues to be the case.  We are, to use the words of the then President, Rt Hon Sir Brian Talboys, 25 years ago at the Institute's 50th anniversary conference, "utterly dependent on the outside world".  To put it in another way, with apologies to John Donne, no man is an island but, even more, no island is an island entire of itself.  

Here in this far away South Pacific nation, we are warmed or chilled by the currents of world affairs, and it is essential that we have, as Sir Brian Talboys also said: "the widest possible knowledge and appreciation of what is happening out there, how it can affect us, and what we can do about it.  The Institute has a central role and a great responsibility to ensure that this knowledge is widely spread."

On this anniversary I respectfully endorse fully Sir Brian's words.  The role of fostering informed public discussion and understanding of international developments affecting New Zealand remains hugely important. 

As an independent body, the Institute provides credible, impartial, and expert analysis, having neither a policy barrow to push nor a political axe to grind.  I say this with all proper respect, of course, to those who may have considerable experience with handcarts or bladed implements!

Through its publications, and its lecture and seminar programmes, the Institute creates opportunities for sharing information and understanding.  It helps us to learn the back story to the front page news; and it illuminates issues from more than one perspective, so that areas of shadow are diminished. 

All this I believe to be as crucial to New Zealand's constructive response to the international imperatives of the 21st century, as it has been in the past -even though the technologies of modern times have enabled new kinds of forums - in printed and electronic form, for example. 

Those gathered at Downie Stewart's home in 1934 would not, for example, have been able to imagine the internet.  This can provide us a range of opinion on any topic we choose to enter into a search engine.  Some of these opinions will even be characterised by knowledge and common sense!

New Zealanders have options, therefore, that did not exist in the past.  I am sure that as the Institute moves towards its centennial, much thought will be given to ensuring that it will continue to meet the challenges posed by these options.

To my mind, though, there is an enduring attraction in both the ideals and the mechanisms of the Institute.  It was many years ago now that I was drawn to it myself, because of the opportunities for learning and discussion it provides, and because of the respect many individuals who have been associated with it provide.

I think of Sir Walter Nash, who was a founding member and would, a few years later, become Prime Minister.  I think, too, of people like Sir George Laking, Gordon Orr, Colin Aikman, Sir Guy Powles, Sir Wallace Rowling and Sir Kenneth Keith, who have all served as President, as does Russell Marshall so ably today. 

Not all those who serve in the Institute in official or ex officio capacities are quite so well known, though many are very notable in their own fields.  Certainly, I am struck by both their expertise and their commitment; as I am by the calibre of the Institute's broader corporate membership which includes a great many business concerns, embassies and government departments.

I was myself a member of the Wellington branch for a number of years, and joined the National Council and its governing Standing Committee in the 2003/04 year. When I became Governor-General in August 2006 it meant resigning from a number of positions, including that one, and those with a number of other organisations, such as the Rotary Club of Wellington.  

Brian Lynch, Director of the Institute, remains a senior member of the Wellington Rotary.  He has been known to raise the question of whether taking on the role of Governor-General was simply a convoluted ruse to avoid the prospect of becoming President of either the Institute or the Club! 

Entirely without convolution are the good wishes towards the Institute that as Governor-General, Patron, and long-time supporter, I want to put on record tonight.

To everyone associated with the New Zealand Institute of International Affairs I also convey respects and very warm congratulations.  The role that you play, and the work that you do, is important.  May that continue for long into the future.

On that note, I will close in New Zealand's first language, Māori, 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.