Flag Raising Ceremony

Premier Young Vivian, Members of your Cabinet, Honorable Speaker of the Niue Assembly, New Zealand Ministers, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen, and most especially, girls and boys

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

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

Here, outside the Fale Fono of Niue, it is a great honour to be addressing the people of Niue.

This is my first visit outside New Zealand since beginning my tenure as Governor-General in August last year and I am pleased that it is to the beautiful island of Niue.

Niue is part of the Realm of New Zealand. This means that our two countries have a special relationship. We are tied together, like members of a family.

This is very important for me because I am as much Governor-General of Niue as I am Governor-General of New Zealand.

I hope this visit will provide me with the first-hand understanding and knowledge of Niue, which I need to be Governor-General for Niue.

Later in the year, I will also visit the other parts of the Realm of New Zealand, the Cook Islands and Tokelau.

Niue and New Zealand's relationship stretches back to 1901, when New Zealand assumed responsibility for this beautiful island.

More than a century on from that time our relationship has changed significantly and for the better. In 1974, under the supervision of the United Nations, Niuean voters here chose to move from being a dependency of New Zealand to being self-governing in free association with New Zealand.

Of course not everyone here today will remember that momentous occasion, but it is important that it is not forgotten by Niueans wherever they live.

On this occasion it seems only appropriate to also acknowledge the part played in that momentous decision by your Premier who served in the pre self government Cabinet of Sir Robert Rex as well as in many of the governments since.

The relationship between our two countries has continued to evolve since then. It is much more than the citizenship we share. It is a bond of family, of history and of vision for a shared future.

New Zealand's role in supporting Niue in the immediate aftermath of Cyclone Heta demonstrates the binding nature of our relationship, as does the Halavaka Arrangement signed by New Zealand's Prime Minister and your Premier in October 2004.

This five year commitment of very substantial assistance for the development of infrastructure and services for Niue is a vital part of New Zealand's ongoing commitment to the people of Niue and I am pleased to have this opportunity to acknowledge it here before you all.

Relations between countries, especially those that are as close as New Zealand and Niue, need constant work and commitment from all parties if they are to stay strong and remain relevant.

It is clear that this relationship is in good shape - as shown by the recent visit by your premier, Finance Minister Pihigia and a delegation to New Zealand last month.

I was very happy to meet with the Premier and his team when they were in Wellington and get an update on developments here. I value the opportunity to stay in touch with Niue and its people.

An important part of any relationship is its ability to recognise when change may be needed and to work constructively to ensure any change serves the needs of both parties.

However, it is also important that we hold true to the core values that define Niue and the people who identify themselves as Niuean, wherever those members of the Niuean family might find themselves.

So, while change must be expected, it must not be at the expense of the essence of Niue - its rich culture, powerful heritage and precious language.

These are strands that must be strengthened to ensure the growth and revitalisation of Niue into the future.

I am honoured, as Governor-General of New Zealand and Niue, to reaffirm the special relationship between our countries, and our joint commitment to ensuring this essence of Niue continues to thrive.

I see this visit as an important step towards improving my own understanding of Niue, and Niueans, so that I serve the interests of this island throughout my time as Governor General.

I am conscious, as Governor-General for both Niue and New Zealand, that I have an opportunity relating to Niuean communities on both sides of the Pacific. Therefore, I have no qualms in making the following comment to all members of the Niuean family.

Be proud of who you are. Do not shy away from your ancestry, your heritage, your language or your culture.

If you live in New Zealand, do not allow the larger PacificIsland communities, the Maori, the Pakeha and the many other cultures of New Zealand, to swamp your Niuean voice.

Do everything you can to bring up your children with the language and influences of both Niue and New Zealand. You are an important part of the Niuean family.

To those who live here in Niue, I know that in these early years of the 21^st Century you are bombarded through television, the internet and other media with globalised English and so-called mainstream Western culture.

I challenge you to hold fast to the language and traditions of your forefathers and mothers. Do not give up on the taoga, the treasures of this wonderful island and its people.

While Cyclone Heta may have washed away many of your physical taoga, you still have many taoga which must be treasured.

These are your language, your history, your culture and your unique heritage. Even more than that, however, the taoga of Niue lies in its 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
maku e ki atu
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, if I were asked what is the most important thing in the world, I will answer it is people, it is people, it is people.

It is up to each of us, as members of the Niuean family, to ensure that future generations of Niuean people also understand and appreciate their taoga.

All Niueans must use their heritage, culture and language as dynamic tools to express who they are, wherever they live.

I have until now spoken of language as one of the three strands of Niue which must be strengthened. If I may, I would suggest that language is the strand which needs the greatest attention.

New Zealand's own experience with Te Reo Maori serves as an example to this point.

We have seen a renaissance of Maori culture and heritage on the heels of a great national push to retain and revitalise Te Reo.

Our experience in retrieving our first official language, and the consequent effect it had on Maori taonga and pride, shows the huge store that can be placed in language.

We have also learned that it requires a commitment by all those who see themselves as Maori, as well as by many others, to learn and use Te Reo. It is not a one man, or one woman job. It is the job of a nation.

In this context it is important that we acknowledge the Halavaka Arrangement which has as one of its core purposes support for Taoga Niue.

I know that great effort is being given to ensure the programmes and facilities exist to achieve this vital objective. This will provide a unique environment in which Niuean culture, heritage and language can thrive.

Efforts to enhance Niue's cultural heritage and national identity will also have a positive impact on many other areas of life for your country and all Niueans. I know that together you are looking at exciting prospects in areas such as tourism and exports.

Air New Zealand's weekly service between Auckland and Niue is providing a real boost to Niue's tourism prospect. It also provides a most welcome link for New Zealand Niueans wishing to visit home, and for Niueans here wishing to visit family in New Zealand. I understand occupancy rates have been strong.

This is all very good news and an important factor in keeping a vibrant community here in Niue.

I am looking forward during this visit to seeing as much of your island as possible. This means that I will be visiting not only the places of beauty but also the infrastructure that provides the support and nurturing you and your families need to remain confident here on Niue.

We will visit your schools and meet your children. We will also visit the NewNiueanHospital which was built in the aftermath of Cyclone Heta. I am told this is an excellent facility for the island.

Most of all, I look forward to meeting many more Niueans. With every Niuean that I meet while I am here, I will gain just that little bit more insight into what it means to be Niuean.

This knowledge will help me serve you as Governor-General for Niue.

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

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