Launch of the Wellington JPs Website

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 then specifically greet you: Hewitt Humphrey, President of the Wellington Justices of the Peace Association; Alison Thomson, President of the Royal New Zealand Federation of Justices' Association;  Hon Chris Finlayson, Attorney-General; Your Honour Judge John Walker; Distinguished Guests otherwise; Ladies and Gentlemen.

Thank you for inviting my wife Susan and I to attend to this function to mark the launch of the website of the Wellington Justices of the Peace Association.
I have been asked to officially launch the website and just before I do so, I would like to speak of the context of this event and the connection with of the internet.

Although the Governor-General role has generated many firsts this is not the first website launch I have witnessed because I recently relaunched the Government House website. 

Exactly what may be entailed in launching a website has never been made clear to me.  There is not any ribbon to cut and I feel certain that no-one is expecting me to fling a bottle of champagne at a computer screen. 

But while the nature of the internet is such that there is little tangible to hold on to, that does not belie its growing importance in our daily lives.

A few years ago, the standard response for any community organisation such this Association, faced with communicating key messages to the public would be to have published a new brochure along with an advertisement perhaps and a media release. 

While there is still a place for brochures, advertisements and media releases, in today's busy information-centred world, where there are an increasing number of voices clamouring to be heard, that may no longer be enough.

All organisations seem to need to adopt new communication mechanisms if they want their voice to be heard in the hurly burly of everyday life.

The importance of the internet was, in my view, accurately summarised recently by American essayist and poet John Perry Barlow, who said:

"With the development of the Internet...we are in the middle of the most transforming technological event since the capture of fire. I used to think that it was just the biggest thing since Gutenberg, but now I think you have to go back farther."

This is no mean feat for something that would not have been part of everyday knowledge and experience twenty years ago.

I might add that another American, the humourist Dave Barry once remarked that: "The Internet is the most important single development in the history of human communication since the invention of call waiting."

But regardless of whether you like it or abhor it, it is fair to say that the internet is transforming how all organisations communicate with the public.  In this respect, the Wellington Association of Justices of the Peace is no different. 

This brand new website contains easy to read information on the role, function and history of Justices of the Peace, It answers Frequently Asked Questions as well as having a search function that allows members of the public to easily find members of the Association, which represents Justices in the Wellington City, Porirua and Kapiti Coast areas.

The website also allows the Association to communicate more easily with its members on education and training as well as about important legislative changes with which it is necessary to remain abreast.

I have been told that many, many people have been involved in bringing both this new website to fruition over the last year and I congratulate everyone involved.  In particular, I am advised that Mike Fokker, as Chairman of the Website Development Committee, and Eleanor Lefever, as Webmaster, have put in considerable amount of time and effort in bringing this website to life.

As Patron the Royal New Zealand Federation of Justices' Association, and in my former life as a lawyer, judge and ombudsman, I am pleased to have had continuing contact with JPs and I value highly the work you do in the community.   By giving a public face to the Association and its members, this website will be able to enhance that ongoing public service aspect to a new level.

It accordingly gives me great pleasure to launch the website of the Wellington Association of Justices of the Peace.

And on that note, 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.