E nga mana, e nga reo, e nga iwi o te motu e huihui nei, tēnei aku mihi nui ki a koutou. Kia ora tātou katoa.
I specifically acknowledge: Hon Karen Chhour Minister for Children; Hon Matt Doocey, Minister for Youth; Arran Jones, Chief Executive, Independant Children’s Monitor; Dr Claire Achmad, Chief Children's Commissioner, Children and Young People’s Commission.
My warmest welcome to everyone here today. This event is a highlight in the Government House calendar, and it’s a great privilege to host the recipients of this year’s Excellence in Foster Care Awards.
I welcome this opportunity to recognise selfless caregivers, our unsung heroes, who see children in need and give them a chance to heal and experience a secure and supportive home environment.
It’s a sad reality that children have absolutely no control over the circumstances of their birth, home life and upbringing – and when those circumstances are difficult, they live with the lasting impacts into their adult years.
Thanks to the Dunedin Longitudinal Study, we now have clear proof of those impacts.
The Study has been closely monitoring the progress of a group of people, from their birth in Dunedin 50 years ago through to the present day.
An extraordinary wealth of data has been gathered. It shows clear links between deprivation in childhood and poor outcomes in neurological development, education, employment, relationships, and physical and mental health. These outcomes are tragic for the individuals concerned, and they also come at great social and economic cost to our communities.
Fortunately, we also know that positive intervention in childhood can and does make a difference.
I know this from my professional experience as a health researcher and former Children’s Commissioner. And now as Governor-General, I see evidence of it through my engagement with schools, social agencies and communities.
Last year, a young man I was interviewing for selection as a Rhodes Scholar made a particular point of crediting his foster parents for his confidence and success in life. The kindness and support he experienced in their home has encouraged him to be an outstanding scholar, as well as a passionate advocate for children in care.
Today we will have an opportunity to hear stories of years of devotion and commitment to excellence in foster care.
These stories can only scratch the surface, but they give some indication of the aroha and manaakitanga extended to the children in their care.
As a society, we are indeed fortunate to have such good people who are prepared to take on the 24/7 duty of care for a child, and all the responsibilities that entails. I acknowledge some children will arrive with complex issues, and not every story can have a happy ending. Nevertheless, these caregivers will have done their very best to empower children to become more secure, confident and hopeful for their future.
I thank you, on behalf of all New Zealanders, for choosing to take that path in your lives. Thank you for healing hurt, for building esteem, for helping children make meaningful connections, and bringing the possibility of joy and hope to their lives.
Please enjoy this special time in Wellington, and this rare break from your responsibilities. You justly deserve the recognition you are receiving today. I am delighted to be able to acknowledge your humanity, compassion and care, and to extend Government House manaakitanga to you.
No reira, tēna koutou, tēna koutou, tēna koutou katoa.