Presentation of Altiora Peto Award to Professor John Burrows

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 Langauge.

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

Specifically I greet you: Paul McWilliam, Acting Headmaster and Serena McWilliam; David Rankin, President National Executive High School Old Boys' Association; Sam Prebble, Senior Monitor; Brian Keene of the Board of Trustees, Chris Burrows PTA; Jim Blair, Executive Member OBA and Award recipient, Professor John Burrows.

I register thanks for the invitation to my wife Susan and I to be here today and for me to present Professor John Burrows with the Altiora Peto Award as part of the annual Christchurch Boys' High School Founders' Day.

Although I am here today in my role as Governor-General, as a member myself of our country's legal profession, it is a matter of singular good fortune that I should have the privilege of presenting this honour to Professor Burrows - someone who has been an ornament to legal education, scholarship and publication for so many years.

I am pleased to have this opportunity to acknowledge the many achievements of the Professor. He has given a great deal to legal education, notably through his long service at the University of Canterbury in a number of different teaching and high-level management roles.  His books, either sole authored or co-authored, are standard references for lawyers in practice and Judges on benches at all levels.

This work, coupled with his strong interest in jazz, detective fiction and sport, have resulted in the highly successful and well-rounded individual who is being recognised today.

Professor Burrows joins, I am advised, three other Altiora Peto Award recipients, including Walter Hadlee, Charles Luney and Sir Lawrence Govan. All four embody the school's motto of Altiora Peto which means  'to seek higher things'.

My own interpretation of this motto is to encourage young people to have a positive attitude and a determination to excel at the highest level they can. 

As students of ChristchurchBoysHigh School you already have one thing in common with Professor Burrows. The question I now put before you is: "Do you share the drive that has made him such a successful individual?" 

The education one receives at school, both inside and outside of the classroom, will be the foundation for personal and professional achievement later in your life. The high school years are some of the best because it is during this period that you have the freedom, time and opportunity to pursue a number of different activities and interests, and thus to discover where your strengths and ambitions may lie.

To be successful, you must first have faith in your ability. Equally, you must be always open to learning from others. Throughout my own career, as a lawyer, Judge and Ombudsman, and I expect this may also apply to Professor Burrows' career as well, I have learned that it is the people you meet who are the greatest source of knowledge. 

As we honour Professor Burrows this morning we also learn from his achievements and his attitude. Let us think forward to another time when, a number of years from now, one of you will receive your own Altiora Award.

American poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow once wrote:

"Lives of great men all remind us we can make our lives sublime and, departing, leave behind us footprints on the sands of time."

In today's context, I believe this poem is relevant because it reminds us that with a will to succeed, everyone has the capacity to achieve.

I once again commend Professor Burrows on today's Award and wish him the best in his future accomplishments.

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