Forest and Bird office opening

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

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

More specifically may I acknowledge you, Minister of Conservation Hon Chris Carter; Sue Kedgley Member of Parliament; Director-General of Conservation, Al Morrison; Chief Executive Ministry of Fisheries, Dr John Glaister; Forest and Bird President Peter Maddison; Vicar of St Peter's Anglican Church, Rev Dr Godfrey Nicholson; Forest and Bird Distinguished Life Members, Stan Butcher, Hon Justice Tony Ellis, Joan Leckie, David Underwood and; Ladies and Gentlemen.

It is a matter of delight to be here, addressing the RoyalForest and Bird Protection Society on this important occasion and for the second time in the first eight months of office as Governor-General.

It is the more so because Susan and I have been ordinary foot soldier Forest and Bird members for many years.

The RoyalForest and Bird Protection Society is an organisation of New Zealanders with a unique network, comprising tens of thousands of New Zealanders, literally operating for the country this all being driven by a deep desire for preserving and protecting our country's natural environment and wildlife.

It is something with which Susan and I empathise personally and just recently, Susan and one of our adult children joined a release of Hihi into the Waitakere's the first time Hihi had been on the mainland as opposed to just Tiritiri since the 1880s -which reveals the extent of the challenge being faced. It shows just how long environmental neglect has been said to have occurred. The return was styled "a stitch bird in time" and I think very appropriately.

In 1923, the year this Society was launched, the environment was in serious need of protection with forests were being burnt and clear-felled, there being no marine reserves and neglected wildlife sanctuaries.

The phenomenon of neglect is neither recent nor local.

Like every other populated country in the world, New Zealand flora and fauna have been neglected, and harmed, for as long as inhabitation by people. As the population has grown over the years, so has the damage to the environment increased.

Fortunately, the efforts of the Society to redress the harm have also increased as have the efforts of Government - and our people as a whole to stem the hurt to our natural environment.

What can be described as a creditable jobe has been done. The New ZealandForest and Bird is recognised elsewhere as an effective independent conservation society, with a track record of success.

His Royal Highness Prince Charles praised Forest and Bird as a 'beacon of hope' for its leading role in the global campaign to Save the Albatross, when he visited Dunedin in March 2005 and he was echoing the sentiments of many in saying that.

Numerous successes can be pointed to and satisfaction registered given that Forest and Bird is an independent society which relies entirely on the support of ordinary people.

Your work includes the protection of native forests, tussock grasslands, wetlands, coastlines and marine ecosystems, energy and resource conservation, sustainable fisheries and sustainable land management. 

Birdlife reintroduction stands with this and judging from the dawn choruses being registered each morning at each of the Government Houses in Auckland and Wellington, this has also had success.

I am told too of activity on a wide range of conservation and environmental issues, in other areas of natural significance beyond New Zealand.- of work in South Pacific rainforest conservation and with the protection of Antarctica from environmental damage.

A collective passion for the environment is a force for good in this world and the better for being shared by many around the world. 

Conservationist David Attenborough perhaps best summarises a love for the environment as follows:

It seems to me that the natural world is the greatest source of excitement; the greatest source of visual beauty; the greatest source of intellectual interest. It is the greatest source of so much in life that makes life worth living. 

As an independent Society, it is necessary to rely heavily on public awareness and support for what you do.

That is why it is so important for your capital city premises to be visible as a means of spreading your message of conservation.

The former headquarters were certainly striking and this new building is no less so - thanks to what has been called, by the metropolitan newspaper, the world's biggest Tui.

It does look marvellous, alongside the equally striking Kowhai.

I take great pleasure, in the light of all that has gone on, to now officially opening the new offices, by unveiling this plaque.

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