Speech
Friends of New Zealand Reception
Ladies and Gentlemen, standing on this piece of New Zealand, may I begin by greeting everyone in the languages of the realm of New Zealand, in English, Maori, Cook Island Maori, Niuean, Tokelauan and New Zealand Sign Language.
Greetings, Kia Ora, Kia Orana, Fakalofa Lahi Atu, Taloha Ni and as it is the evening and the sun has set (Sign).
May I specifically greet you: Your Excellency, Rupert Holborow, New Zealand's High Commissioner to India; Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen; in the context of this evening's gathering, may I add the greetings: Namaste, Namashkar, Sat Sri Akal, Kam Cho.
I want to express the delight that my wife Susan and I feel being here in India, and in New Delhi. It is a pleasure to have the opportunity to meet a number of you this evening - all of whom can be described as friends of our country, New Zealand.
Whilst this is not the first visit I have made to India, it is the first in the capacity as Governor-General of New Zealand, and for that reason it is both historic and special.
It is a special occasion for me personally in that whilst being born in New Zealand, India was the home of my four grandparents. I have registered thanks to the President and Government of India for extending to our country New Zealand and my wife Susan and I, the opportunity to visit and for the assistance they have provided.
I would add to that thanks to the High Commissioner and his staff for all the work that has been done into organising our visit. There is a golden opportunity for us to play a part in promoting the matter of a new and deepening relationship between India and New Zealand, particularly as this country's momentum begins to resemble a train at the beginning of a journey calling for passengers with tickets.
In the discussions I have had with the President, the Prime Minister and no fewer than seven significant office holders of the senior levels of government and administration, my brief has been to convey the best wishes of the people and government of New Zealand and to highlight, from our standpoint, the importance that it wishes to place on the India-New Zealand bilateral relationship and the current desire to expand it.
In New Zealand we are very conscious that India is emerging as a new global powerhouse. Some little time ago, the French Scholar of Indian Studies, Sylvia Levi, once said:
"From Persia to the Chinese sea, from the icy regions of Siberia to Islands of Java and Borneo, India has propagated her beliefs, her tales, and her civilisation!"
With the reach of Diaspora one could say that the reach is ever further.
This has now come to pass and so it is important that India's perspectives on global issues are heard and understood in New Zealand. Similarly, given India's growing global significance, it is important for New Zealand to have an opportunity to have its perspectives and viewpoints heard here in New Delhi.
But we are also excited, as is the rest of the world, by what India now has to offer the global economy. Reflecting this, we are keen to deepen our present partnership with India whether that be in relation to students studying in New Zealand, research collaboration, tourism, opportunities in ICT or trade partnerships and joint ventures.
In this regard, as a small and distant country, we need friends. Friends to help guide us, to open doors, and to work with.
The New Zealand High Commission here in New Delhi would not be able to achieve what it does without the encouragement of many people who are gathered here this evening.
So I would simply like to conclude by saying that New Zealand thanks you for your friendship. We thank you for your help, and we very much hope, in the months and years to come that the India-New Zealand relationship will continue to build on this current solid base.
And on that note, I will close in New Zealand's first language, Maori, offering everyone greetings and wishing you good health and fortitude in your endeavours. No reira, tena koutou, tena koutou, kia ora, kia kaha, tena koutou katoa.