ACG Parnell College Opening

Ladies and Gentlemen, Students, I greet you in the languages of the realm of New Zealand - English, Maori, Cook Island Maori, Niuean, Tokelauan and Sign Language.

G

reetings, Kia Ora, Kia Orana, Fakalofa Lahi Atu, Taloha Ni and (Sign)

Specifically I greet you: Principal, Larne Edmeades; Chairman of Academic Colleges Group, John Graham and Deputy Principals, Nandy Nathu, Mark Haines, Darrell Parrat and Chris van der Loos.

Thank you for inviting me to attend and officially open the new College Building at ACG Parnell this afternoon.

It is a particular pleasure to be in Auckland, a city in which, many years ago I was educated - from primary school right through to university.

Today, therefore, I am speaking as both a former Auckland school boy, and as Governor-General of New Zealand.

To provide a better understanding of what brings me here as Governor-General, I would like to talk for a moment about the role of the Governor-General's Office.

New Zealand is a Monarchy, and so our formal Head of State is the Queen - Her Royal Highness Queen Elizabeth II. However, because she lives in London, 12,000 miles away, she needs someone based here in New Zealand to represent her.

The Governor-General's duty is to fulfil this role for a term of five years. I am responsible to her.

Next, as you know, we live in a democracy.  Every three years each of us vote in the General Election for the person whom we want to represent us in Parliament. 

Under our electoral system of MMP, each New Zealander also has a vote for the party they want to be the Government.  When the votes are counted the person who is able to command a majority in Parliament (that is more than half the votes) becomes the Prime Minister. 

The Prime Minister is the leader of our country, not me. The Prime Minister leads a group of people appointed as Ministers who form the Cabinet.  The Government is said to rule, whilst the Sovereign (and her representative) reign. 

It helps to think of the Prime Minister and her Government's role as the business arm of our country.  Prime Minister Helen Clark and her Government in ruling make all the policy decisions about what happens in New Zealand.  Their job is make sure the roads are in good and safe condition, that there are sufficient numbers of doctors at the hospitals and sufficient numbers of teachers in schools - among many other things.

The Governor-General's role is a bit different.  It is to act as a symbol of national unity and leadership.

There are three main parts to that.

The first is constitutional. This means it is my job to ensure the Government is working correctly and fairly, within the rules of New Zealand law.

The second part of my role is ceremonial. It means I represent the State at public ceremonies, such as opening new sessions of Parliament, welcoming visiting Heads of State and attending Waitangi Day commemorations.

The third part of my role is what brings me here today. That is, providing leadership to the community. It is a part of the job which gives me particular joy as it provides me with the privileged opportunity to meet with many New Zealanders, young and old, whom I may not otherwise have had the chance to meet.

In meeting so many New Zealanders, and in visiting them in their communities, or by hosting them at Government House, I am constantly reminded of what makes New Zealand such a vibrant, compassionate and progressive nation. Our strength lies in our people.

The Maori proverb says:

Hutia te rito o te harakeke
Kei hea? Te komako e ko,
ki mai ki ahau.
He aha te mea nui o te ao?
He tangata he tangata he tangata

If the centre of the flax is pulled out, there will be no place for the bellbird to sing, ask questions what is the most important thing in the world, it is people, it is people, it is people.

These reflections are relevant in today's context as our country's future is only as strong as the young people of today, who will help lead it tomorrow. In this sense, then, quality education plays a vital role in securing our nation's future.

As we celebrate the official opening of ACGParnellCollege I would like to make reference to the innovative approach the College takes to education.

As an independent school, ACGParnellCollege students sit external University of Cambridge International Examinations. Participation in these exams requires a high level of learning and in the classroom students are encouraged to obtain 'exceptional' levels of achievement.

Lessons are longer, at 70 to 85 minutes each, enabling more comprehensive learning. And the curriculum includes the teaching of Spanish and Mandarin from an early age.

However, the emphasis is not solely on high achievement. The curriculum actively promotes innovative and creative thinking. This was something the Education Review Office commented on in the February Review of the School. They felt the College promoted an environment where it was safe to ask questions, to say something off-the-wall, to be unsure and to be quite different.

I congratulate the College for promoting this type of learning.

The College's new building is a positive addition to this school. It will not only increase the school roll but will provide extended facilities for existing students to pursue their high level learning.

The list of facilities is impressive and is testament to the progress of modern schools, which cater for more than just classroom learning.

I would like to finish by quoting a Samoan proverb:

Ua o gatasi le futia ma le umele

While the fisherman swings the rod, the others must assist him by paddling hard.

The opening of this building today has only been possible through the efforts of many. As the proverb suggests, we must work together to achieve results. I commend all those who contributed to the development and construction of this building. I wish ACGParnellCollege all the best in continuing to deliver innovative, high quality education to the young people of Auckland.

I began speaking in all the New Zealand realm languages.  May I close by speaking in Maori, issuing greetings and wishing you good health and fortitude in your endeavours.

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