Officially opening Te Totara Primary School

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 morning and the sun has risen (Sign).

May I specifically greet you: Neil Couch, Chair of the Te Totara School Board of Trustees; Brian Sheedy, Principal of Te Totara School and your staff; Kaumatua Joe Cooper; Officials from the Ministry of Education; Ladies and Gentlemen; Boys and Girls.

Thank you for inviting my wife Susan and me to visit Te Totara Primary School today and for me to have the privilege of opening it.  Of all the things that can register progress and promise for a community in our country, the opening of a school must surely be one of them.  The projected number of students who are going to come here emphasise the word "promise".

Opening a school is a privilege often provided to a Governor-General.  It can be described as one of the items of "core business".  I am often asked to explain the role of the Governor-General.  To do so, I need to provide an explanation of how our system of government works.

I am sure you may know already that New Zealand is a Monarchy, which means that our formal Head of State is Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.  Because Her Majesty lives in London, she needs someone based in New Zealand to represent her.  That person is the Governor-General who is called upon to function in that role for a five-year term.

'Representing' calls for standing in for The Queen when there are things to be done that The Queen might do.  People sometimes say that The Queen reigns while the government rules and that is a good phrase to bear in mind about how the country works.  New Zealand is a democracy which means that the people of New Zealand elect the Members of Parliament (or MPs).  The Prime Minister is the MP able to lead Parliament because of having the support of more than half of the Members present in it.  That side, which is what is called 'the Majority', forms the Government.

The first part of the role is a legal one.  When the Government in Parliament passes laws by voting 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.  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 and attending commemorations of Waitangi Day and ANZAC Day.  When people are honoured at the New Year and then Queen's Birthday the Governor-General then gives them the medal they have been awarded at a ceremony.

The third part of the role is to do with leadership for the community.  This means visiting people and places throughout New Zealand opening buildings, attending celebrations and seeing things that people have done well.  This last aspect, the community role, is the part of my job that keeps both myself and my wife the busiest. 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.

I hope that this has helped explain to you what the Governor-General does in the course of a working day and a working week.

The role of Governor-General has evolved as New Zealand has evolved into an independent nation. 

New Zealand's Governors-General were once British Lords or retired military officers.  Since 1967, all Governors-General have been born in New Zealand and they have come from a variety of backgrounds. 

Including myself, four have been former judges, one was a mayor, another a Prime Minister, one an archbishop, one was a diplomat and another a doctor - a surgeon.  One of those Governors-General was Maori and two were women, while I have both Asian and Pacific ancestry. 

These changes show how New Zealand has changed and is changing.  Our country is becoming increasingly diverse, with people of many different cultures, religions and ethnicities living here.

It is this kind of New Zealand into which you children will grow up and provide the next group of citizens and leaders.  On that note I will close in New Zealand's first language, Maori, offering greetings and wishing everyone good health and fortitude in your endeavours.

No reira, tena koutou, tena koutou, kia ora, kia kaha, tena koutou katoa.

And so, as Governor-General, it gives me great pleasure to officially declare Te Totara Primary School open. (unveil plaque).