Waitangi Bledisloe Reception

Ladies and Gentlemen, Prime Minister Helen Clark; Chief Justice Rt Hon Dame Sian Elias; Ministers of the Crown, Members of Parliament, Distinguished Guests from Central and Local Government, from our country's Maori, Military Church and other dimensions, I greet you all in the languages of the realm of New Zealand - English, Maori, Cook Island, Niuean and Tokelauan.

Kia Ora, Kia Orana, Fakalofa Lahi Atu, Taloha Ni.

Thank you for accepting the invitation from Susan and I to this reception on the eve of Waitangi Day 2007.

It is for us a first - Waitangi on Waitangi weekend,  this Bledisloe Reception, your fine company in these historic surroundings.

The story of Lord and Lady Bledisloe's purchase of the former British residency and subsequent gifting of  land to New Zealand is well documented and has rightly become a matter of heritage in the years since.

Indeed, I am informed that it was only two years after the site was preserved as a national memorial that up to 10,000 Maori gathered here on 6 February to celebrate the signing of the Treaty.

It would be the first of many such gatherings at Waitangi. I am certain that Lord and Lady Bledisloe would be delighted to see that the site has come to hold such significance for our country. 

In 1962, Lord Cobham called Waitangi 'hallowed ground'.when he said

It is one of the few places upon this earth where good sense once prevailed over passion and prejudice. It brought together two fine races who settled down together to achieve full nationhood for a young and undeveloped country, under the Queen's peace and law.

That Lord and Lady Bledisloe recognised the historic importance of this piece of land is a tribute to them both. They were forthcoming, in many ways, with contributions to farming knowledge, to oratory, to New Zealand history, to sport - all sorts of things.  Bledisloe on my research was a good role model for later Governors-General in many things - with a sole exception if I may respectfully say so - for making long winded speeches!

I believe they were before their time in appreciating the significance of the Treaty of Waitangi in forming our nation.

A  correct application and interpretation of the Treaty of Waitangi is as important in 2007 as it was in 1840.  Our history tells us that for many years, the Treaty was neglected - in law and in practice.

It was not until 1975 that the Treaty was officially recognised in law, with the establishment of the Waitangi Tribunal. Although for ten years the Tribunal had limited jurisdiction, its establishment heralded a new era in the Treaty's application.

In the years that followed, the Treaty of Waitangi became the subject of much consideration. It formed the starting point of discussion and dialogue. Some of this debate was angry and unleashed feelings that had been unexpressed until that point.

Disputes over the meaning and relevance of the Treaty marked an important turning point in our bid to define what kind of a country we wanted in New Zealand.

The debate was fuelled by events such as the hikoi of the 1970s and the subsequent occupation at Bastion Point. The significance of the Treaty as a cornerstone in Maori relations with the Crown was slowly becoming clearer to those who, until then, may not have appreciated its weight.

It was an extraordinary time of self-examination and review for New Zealand and many of my peers in the legal profession took part in the deliberations themselves.

Clearly, the Treaty's ongoing application was of huge importance to the legal profession and would have an impact on  how many people worked - particularly those operating within the sphere of constitutional law.

It was also interesting for lawyers, given that law, like diplomacy, is built on debate and the power of words. We could see that renewed debate on the Treaty was going to have a bearing on how New Zealand would develop as a nation in the years to come.

Communication and debate was at the heart of the resurrection of the Treaty of Waitangi.

It still is today.

As with any relationship, be it professional, legal, personal or constitutional, open communication is the key to the longevity and success of that relationship.

As Mahatma Gandhi  once said:

Honest disagreement is often a good sign of progress.

When in the past Maori and Pakeha might have spoken at each other about the Treaty without really listening, we can now communicate in a meaningful way about things that really matter to each of us.

Both sides are talking and both are listening and today blogs and talkback radio as well as the regular media make that easier.

This is truly the only way we can agree on what this Treaty means for us as a country - and apply it for the benefit of New Zealand as a whole.

The Treaty of Waitangi and all that it represents - both historically and for the future - are still being debated, pondered, questioned and deliberated.

It excites me, as Governor-General, to see evidence of this communication - not just on Waitangi Day, but every day. Today the 5^th was the day of discussion followed by the signing tomorrow.  Our country is having a conversation right now that must continue.

Talking is the only way we can continue to work together for the benefit of New Zealand and all New Zealanders.

As Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II said herself at Waitangi in 1990:

Working together, the people of New Zealand can make a country which is strong and united, and unique among the nations of the earth.

Thanks for coming everyone.  No reira, tena koutou, tena koutou, kia ora, kia kaha, tena koutou katoa