Challenge for Change Graduation

E kui mā, e koro mā, e hine mā, e tama mā, e huihui nei, tēnei aku mihi māhana ki a koutou.  Nau mai, haere mai rā ki Te Whare Kawana o Te Whanganui-a-Tara.  Ladies and gentlemen, girls and boys, warm greetings to you all, and welcome to Government House Wellington.

I specifically acknowledge: Iris Webster, Acting Chairperson of the Board of the Wellington Boys’ and Girls’ Institute and the board members present; Ross Davis, Institute Director; Jacinta Krefft, Challenge for Change co-ordinator; and Justin Lester, Deputy Mayor of Wellington - tēnā koutou katoa.

It’s a great pleasure for Janine and me to welcome you all to Government House this afternoon.  The last seven days have seen us engaged in a number of events focused on young people and their activities.  I’ve been privileged to speak at events celebrating youth achievement in science, enterprise and youth development.  This graduation ceremony is a fitting finale to what has been an awesome week.

Having a mentor to help, guide and offer advice is a theme that looms large in the biographies of many successful people.  In the sports world there are many examples of coaches who inspire great things in their teams.  All Blacks Sevens coach Sir Gordon Tietjens and Silver Ferns coach Waimarama Taumanu spring to mind.  Sports star Sonny Bill Williams was mentored by Tana Umaga and England rugby’s Jonny Wilkinson when they were both playing for Toulon.

There are numerous examples of mentorship in the world of film and fiction also – Harry Potter had numerous mentors including Dumbledore and Sirius Black.  In The Hobbit, Bilbo Baggins is mentored by Gandalf.  The value of such relationships is widely known and documented.

As many of you in this room have discovered, you don’t have to be famous or magical to have a mentor.  Anyone can benefit, no matter their age, where they’re from or what it is they’re trying to achieve.  A mentor is “someone who sees more talent and ability within you than you see in yourself and helps bring it out of you ”.

I’ve been fortunate enough to have had people act as mentors to me during my career in the New Zealand Army.  They helped me to know myself better, to set objectives, to work my way through challenges and to do what was right.

The 18 graduates of the ‘Challenge for Change’ programme have spent the last 20 weeks with a specially-chosen mentor.  I expect you have learned more about yourselves and have developed essential life skills.  I’m sure all 18 of you now have a better understanding of how unique and capable you are as people.

I think you have much to be proud of.  You were all chosen because of your potential.  In accepting a place on the programme, and seeing it through to the end, you have proved that you have courage.  Admitting that you need to change and accepting help is not easy.  I expect that when you chose to join you knew you would be asked to do some things that were difficult or outside your comfort zone.  Congratulations on completing the 20 weeks.

I guess that the 20 weeks have given you much in the way of experiences and memories.  Above all, it has added a precious person to your life – your mentor.  I hope the relationships you mentees and mentors have established continue long after your time with the programme finishes.

Today is a day of celebration for the mentors as much as it is for those who are graduating.  Mentors – you have generously gifted your time, knowledge, advice, understanding and friendship.  That demonstrates much about you as a person.  Thank you for playing your part.

I must also thank the parents and caregivers for their support.  By encouraging your children to take part you have made a wise investment in their future, and in the future of your family.  I’m sure you are pleased with and proud of the results of your child’s participation.

Of course, none of this would exist without the Wellington Boys and Girls Institute.  Wellington and the BGI have changed a lot since BGI was founded in 1883.  And although BGI has changed, it continues to meet the needs of the community.  The commitment of the board and staff to this innovative programme is a commitment to the future of Wellington’s young people.  Thank you for your vision and hard work.

Most importantly, congratulations to the graduates.  This is your day.  Treasure your experience, and use it to enrich your life and the lives of others as you continue your life’s journey.  I’ll finish with the words of late Nelson Mandela, a man who encountered many challenges during his lifetime.  His words remind us that while we have achieved much, there is always more to do.  He famously said in the last paragraph of his autobiography:

“I have walked that long road to freedom. I have tried not to falter. I have made missteps along the way. But I have discovered the secret that after climbing a great hill, one only finds that there are many more hills to climb. I have taken a moment here to rest, to steal a view of the glorious vista that surrounds me, to look back on the distance I have come. But I can only rest for a moment, for with freedom come responsibilities, and I dare not linger, for my walk is not yet ended.”

Kia ora huihui tātou katoa – be well, be strong, be courageous.