St Mark's Church School

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: Tony Batchelor, Principal; John Miklos and Catherine Graham, Head Boy and Head Girl respectively; Distinguished Guests otherwise; Ladies and Gentlemen.

Thank you for inviting me to visit St Mark's Church School today.  On such a visit as this, my wife Susan would usually be with me, but she is currently in London with our daughter Tara who has recently given birth to our first grandson, Joshua.

I would like to briefly speak of the connections between your School and Government House and of my background and my role.

As Governor-General of New Zealand, Susan and I travel widely throughout the country; meeting New Zealanders from all walks of life and learning about the positive and innovative things are doing in community groups, businesses and the like. 

As a part of those visits, I also visit schools, explaining my role or opening new facilities.  In the last couple of years, for example, we have visited the most eastern school in New Zealand, Pitt Island School in the Chatham Islands and the most southern, Half Moon Bay School on Stewart Island.

However, of all the primary schools in New Zealand, St Mark's Church School, is probably the one with the strongest link to Government House and to New Zealand's Governor-General.

Until the closure of Government House late last year, students from St Mark's often toured the House to learn more of its history.  As well, you have also participated in formal State Welcomes on the north lawn, where visiting Heads of State are welcomed to New Zealand.

But the links go back further than that. St Mark's was established 92 years ago in September 1917.  That was an important year for the role I hold as well, because in that year the title was changed from Governor to Governor-General.

About a decade later, General Sir Charles Fergusson, who was Governor-General from 1924 to 1930, visited this School and presented his photograph-beginning a tradition that has continued to this day.

There are many other connections as well.  I understand that Sir Charles' son, Sir Bernard Fergusson, who was Governor-General from 1962 to 1967, sent his son George to this School.  George Fergusson is now the British High Commissioner representing the British Government in New Zealand. 

Sir Bernard is an important figure in the role of the Governor-General.  Sir Bernard, like all Governors and Governors-General before him, including his father and grandfather, were born overseas.  They had all been either retired military officers or members of the British aristocracy.

Sir Bernard was the last person to be Governor-General who had not been born in New Zealand.  Since 1967, when Sir Arthur Porritt was appointed, all Governors-General have been born in this country.  And reflecting New Zealand's growing diversity, their backgrounds have been equally varied. 

Including myself, four have been judges while one was a mayor, one was a diplomat, one was a doctor, one was a former prime minister, and one was an archbishop. 

As well, two have been women, one has been Maori and I am the first Governor-General of Pacific and Asian descent.  While I was born in Auckland, my parents were born in Fiji and migrated here and my grandparents were born in India and moved to Fiji.

Turning to my job as Governor-General, I need to give a brief explanation of how our system of government works.

As you know New Zealand is a monarchy, which means that our formal Head of State is Queen Elizabeth II.  Because she is in London, she needs someone based in New Zealand to represent her.  That person is the Governor-General.

New Zealand is a democracy which means New Zealanders elect their MPs. The Prime Minister, who heads the Government, is the MP able to lead Parliament because of having the support of more than half of the Members present in it. 

The first part of the role is a legal one.  When Parliament votes in favour of a new law, those laws need to be signed in the name of The Queen in order to become part of the law of the country.  The Governor-General gives assent for the laws and needs to be sure the laws have been properly passed. 

The Governor-General also signs other important documents appointing people to be Judges, Diplomats and Heads of Government Ministries and Departments.  Most importantly, last year I signed the documents that authorised the November General Election.  After the election, I formally appointed Mr John Key as Prime Minister as he was able to show he could command a majority in Parliament. All of this is called the Governor-General's constitutional role. 

The second part of the role is ceremonial. This means that the Governor-General represents the country at public ceremonies such as the opening of a new session of Parliament, the welcoming of visiting Heads of State-which many children here have participated in-and attending commemorations of Waitangi Day and ANZAC Day. 

The third part of the role is to do with community leadership.  This means visiting people and places throughout New Zealand attending celebrations and seeing things that people have done well.  It is this part of my job that keeps me busy.

It involves travelling all around New Zealand visiting schools, launching appeals opening functions, and attending special events. It is also that part of the job which brings me in touch with so many New Zealanders, both young and old.

And it is what has brought me here today.  When visiting schools, I have a simple message and that is to make the most of your education. 

Your teachers are not only giving you the skills to read, write and do long division, but how to understand the world around you.  It is the key that unlocks all that follows-don't let it slip from your hands 

Those concepts and the importance of education are emphasised in your school's Latin motto: "Nulla Dies Sine Linea" which literally translates as "Never a day without lines" or, if you'll excuse the pun, more generally as "Make your mark every day". 

Your school motto emphasises how you have to be constantly engaged with learning.  Keep reading and writing, not just today, but tomorrow, next week, next year and for the rest of your life.  As Canadian educationalist Bill Allin once said: "Education is not the answer to the question. Education is the means to the answer to all questions."

And 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.