Speech
Artillery Gun Unveiling
Ladies and Gentlemen, Distinguished Guests, I greet you in the languages of the realm of New Zealand - English, Maori, CookIsland, Niue and Tokelau.
Kia Ora, Kia Orana, Fakalofa Lahi Atu, Taloha Ni
Thank you for the invitation here today to unveil the 5.5 Artillery Gun in recognition of the Waikato Gunners, who served in the Royal New Zealand Artillery.
The office of Governor-General has an association with the Waikato Gunners that goes back to 1911. It was then that former Governor-General, Lord John Poynder Islington, first approved the formation of a field battery designated "K Battery", with its headquarters in Hamilton.
It seems therefore fitting that nearly one hundred years later that I should be here to unveil a monument to the Waikato Gunners.
It is especially fitting given that 2006 is the Year of the Veteran, recognising the contribution of those who risked, and lost, their lives for our country over several wars.
To these people - many of whom were drawn from this region - we owe our thanks.
Today marks an important milestone in the story of Hamilton and the surrounding region. It is recognition that we must not forget the history of this part of New Zealand.
Until today, there has been no public monument to the proud history of the gunners from the Waikato. It is pleasing to see this remedied, with the unveiling of the Artillery Gun.
It is of utmost importance that we do not forget our past and the people that helped make New Zealand the peace-loving country it is today.
The Royal Regiment of New Zealand Artillery is steeped in its own history. It has its roots in England in the 1700s, after it was deemed necessary to retain a permanent force of artillery.
The Artillery Gun is, thus, a nod to our country's English heritage. This connection with its past was reinforced when in 1953 Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II was appointed Captain General of the Royal New Zealand Artillery.
I would like to extend my congratulations to all those who were involved in bringing this Artillery Gun to Hamilton's Memorial Park. Most notably, my congratulations goes to Hugh Vercoe, Retired Battery Commander and current Mayor of the Matamata-Piako District.
Thanks also to Michael Redman, Mayor of Hamilton City and his Council for supporting Mayor Vercoe's vision to bring this project to life.
It is a great achievement and I am pleased to officially unveil this Artillery Gun today.
No reira, tena koutou, tena koutou, kia ora koutou katoa