Speech
State luncheon for the President of the Republic of Korea
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 afternoon (Sign)
May I specifically greet you: Your Excellency, Mr Lee Myung-bak, President of the Republic of Korea and Madame Kim Yoon-ok; Your Excellency Mr Lee Joon-gyu, Ambassador for the Republic of Korea to New Zealand; Your Excellency, Richard Mann, Ambassador for New Zealand to the Republic of Korea; Rt Hon Helen Clark Member of Parliament and former Prime Minister of New Zealand; Hon Dr Richard Worth, Minister of Internal Affairs, Member of Parliament and Chairman of the Korea-New Zealand Business Council; Simon Murdoch, Chief Executive of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade; Andrew Williams Mayor of Auckland's North Shore City; Dr Chris Tremewan, Pro Vice-Chancellor (International) of the University of Auckland; Michael Stephens, Barrister and Solicitor and Adviser to Korean and New Zealand Business Ventures notably in Film making; Distinguished Guests all; Ladies and Gentlemen.
In the context of today's luncheon, may I add the greetings: An nyeong hasimnika. It is a matter of privilege for my wife Susan and I to welcome you to this State Luncheon.
Your Excellency, I wish first to register deep gratitude for your first visit to us in New Zealand. I have the privilege to declare that to you on behalf of all New Zealanders.
I would like to speak briefly of the significance of this visit and of the relationship between our two countries. New Zealand's relationship with the Republic of Korea is among our country's most valuable and significant in Asia.
The foundation of good relations between our two countries goes back more than 50 years to the Korean War. The relationship can also be seen in our shared values in preservation of human rights, supremacy of the rule of law and adherence to democracy.
Since the Korean War, New Zealand has maintained a presence to support the people of the Republic of Korea as a part of the United Nations Command, deployed on Korean soil. New Zealand will continue to support the Republic of Korea and the international community to help build a safe and stable Korean peninsula.
In recent years the relationship between Korea and New Zealand has deepened significantly through engagement in the areas of economics and trade, in science, in people to people links, and in promotion of shared interests in regional and global issues.
High-level visits take place on a regular basis with the Prime Minister, Foreign and Trade Ministers, Defence Ministers meeting frequently with their Korean counterparts. The number of Prime Ministerial visits have been hugely crucial and as a result of talks last year the question of a possible free trade agreement has arisen. In this context, it was with pleasure that I welcomed your predecessor, His Excellency Roh Moo-hyun, to New Zealand with a State Welcome and Dinner in Wellington in December 2006.
My predecessor as Governor-General, Dame Silvia Cartwright, was likewise warmly received when she visited Korea in April 2006 and so it is a pleasure to welcome you to New Zealand today.
The Korean community in New Zealand, provides a vibrant base for our relationship. Our country's latest Census in 2006 revealed that more than 30,000 New Zealanders are of Korean descent, the third largest Asian grouping after people from China and India. I am advised that New Zealand has one of the highest expatriate Korean communities in the world relative to the total community. Korean New Zealanders contribute much to New Zealand, enriching our culture, society and economy.
A striking example is that of the television journalist and personality, Melissa Lee, who in last year's General Election, became the first New Zealand Member of Parliament of Korean descent and, I am advised, the first woman of Korean descent to become a parliamentarian outside of Korea.
Your Excellency, New Zealand highly values its strong, friendly and multifaceted relationship with the Republic of Korea. I trust you will enjoy your visit to New Zealand and that you will leave with a better understanding of how our two countries can enhance an already dynamic relationship.
Your Excellency, and your delegation, it is with equal measures of warmth and enthusiasm that we receive you in Aotearoa New Zealand, and I register the hope that you have a happy and profitable visit. New Zealand eso julgoun sigan bonaesigil baramnida (Hope you enjoy your time in New Zealand)
On that note I will close in New Zealand's first language, Māori, by offering greetings and wishing everyone good health and fortitude in your endeavours. No reira, tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou, kia ora, kia kaha, tēnā koutou katoa.
To view more images from the State Welcome, click here