Youth Declaration 2009

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 morning (Sign)

May I specifically greet you: Matt McGrath, National President of the United Nations Youth Association of New Zealand; Lizzie Chan, Auckland regional President; Zeb Stone, Youth Declaration 2009 Co-ordinator and Auckland regional Vice-President; Hon Dr Pita Sharples, Minister of Māori Affairs; and Metiria Turei, Member of Parliament; Dr Manuka Henare of the University of Auckland; Distinguished Guests otherwise; Ladies and Gentlemen.

Thank you for inviting my wife Susan and I to attend the closing of the 2009 Youth Declaration here at the University of Auckland.

It is good to be back here, in the chemistry of the United Nations Youth Association of New Zealand having received the 2008 Declaration at this same venue last year.

I would like to begin my comments to you with a quote from a speaker furnishing his view on "youth and sport".  The speaker said: "The greatest asset that a country possesses is its youth, and let us see to it that this asset is not any longer squandered. The scores of unhappy young people that one sees slouching about in every big city in the world, their eyes dull and bored and their shoulders drooping demonstrate the measure of our failure.  That is ‘youth without sport.'"

Those are comments with which members of this audience will be no doubt familiar.  They regularly appear in the media, in letters-to-the-editor, in blogs and in common conversation among adults. 

It is a view of young people that casts the youth of any nation as being a problem for which a solution is needed.  What may surprise you, however, is that the words I have quoted are not from a recent newspaper editorial, but was something said by my predecessor as Governor-General, Lord Charles John Lyttelton Cobham, in a speech in 48 years ago.

While I have often approvingly quoted Lord Cobham in my speeches, this is one where I respectfully disagree with him, at least in part.  To me it seems to be almost inevitable that every generation looks at the generation that follow them, with a sigh saying something like:-"it wasn't like that in my day"!  

I fear, though, that too many people have forgotten the truism inherent in American writer Franklin Pierce Adams' witty comment that: "Nothing is more responsible for the good old days than a bad memory."

However, since being sworn in as Governor-General in August 2006, my wife Susan and I have travelled extensively throughout New Zealand and had the opportunity to meet a great many of  our nation's young people.

We have visited many schools, polytechnics and universities presenting a great many awards, prizes and scholarships to young people who have succeeded in sport, music, culture and education.  Many have succeeded despite facing many obstacles, including physical or intellectual disabilities. 

We are also Patrons of many organisations with a youth focus, including Barnardo's, the Young New Zealander's Challenge, the YMCA and YWCA, the Girls' and Boys' Brigades, Girl Guiding and Scouting New Zealand, to name just a few.

Maybe it is inherent in the Governor-General role that we see New Zealand and New Zealanders at their best.  Even so, our interaction with young people has made it clear to us that far from being a problem, the young people of today are, as Lord Cobham, to be fair rightly noted in beginning, "our greatest asset". 

For what young people can show us all, is the power of enthusiasm and the importance of  holding on to our dreams.  That is why initiatives such as the Youth Declaration are so important.  I have often found that young people can bring fresh perspectives to concerns that perplex our society. 

I therefore wish to congratulate the United Nations Youth Association of New Zealand for organising this gathering and ensuring that the voices of New Zealand's young people are heard at the highest levels.

But it is not only important that policy makers take seriously the views of young people, but it is also important that young people take all the opportunities available to them to make their voices heard.   Next year, New Zealanders will vote in elections for city, district and regional councils and for district health boards. 

Despite voting being by postal ballot as well as personal, turnout in these elections has historically been very poor.  Yet all these organisations play an important role in providing essential services without which our society would literally grind to a halt.

With the exception of the foreign affairs and defence matters, most of the issues discussed at this forum are all areas that councils are involved in.  Councils deal with the apparently "boring" issues such as roads, rubbish and rates.

But councils also deal with parks, sports facilities and making grants to community organisations.  It has also to be said that having good roads, good public transport, good water and sewerage services, and good environmental management are vital for economic development.

So my challenge to you, both as New Zealanders and as young people, is to not allow the energy of this gathering be lost.  Participating in a democracy involves not only rights, but also responsibilities.  These include voting and participating in the debate and in giving back to the community through voluntary service.

In a few days time, we will mark ANZAC Day, which commemorates all those New Zealanders who served and died defending the democratic freedoms we all hold dear. 

The right to vote is a mighty gift that their service has bequeathed to us.  It is the right that ensures all the other civil liberties and human rights that come from being in a democracy.  As the New Zealand suffragette of a hundred years ago, Kate Sheppard, whose image is upon every New Zealand ten dollar note once said: "Do not think your single vote does not matter much.  The rain that refreshes the parched ground is made up of single drops."

And on what I hope is a suitable note of challenge, I will close in our country'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.