79th Annual Conference of the Royal Federation of New Zealand Justices

Ladies and Gentlemen, Distinguished Guests,  I greet you in the languages of the realm of New Zealand - English, Maori, CookIsland, Niuean and Tokelauan.

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

Specifically, I greet you: Belinda Clark, Secretary for Justice; Hon Rick Barker, Minister for Courts; Lynne Pillay, Chair of the Justice and Electoral Select Committee; Chris Tremain, Member of Parliament; Judge Neil MacLean, Chief Coroner; Barbara Arnott, Mayor Napier City Council; Eileen von Dadelszen J.P and Chair Hawke's Bay Regional Council; Cynthia Bowers, Deputy Mayor Hastings District Council; Tim Gilbertson, Mayor Central Hawke's Bay District Council; Mary Anne Eyles, J.P and President, Hawke's Bay Justices' Association; Gavin Kerr, J.P and President, Royal Federation of New Zealand Justices Association; Mr Colin Beauchamp, J.P and President, Western Australia Justices Association;  Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen. 

Thank you for the invitation for Susan and I to be here and for me to officially open the 79th Annual Conference of the Royal Federation of New Zealand Justices Associations.

Although I have now been Governor-General for more than six months - and an Ombudsman for ten years before that - I do not feel so very far removed from my professional past as a lawyer and Judge - in both capacities of which I had a great deal to do with Justices.

This last week for example has provided a number of connections to my legal roots. I have had an opportunity to meet and speak with a number of Judges and legal professionals. Last night I spoke at the Triennial Youth Court Judges Conference. Earlier in the week, I hosted Judges who were in New Zealand for the South Pacific Council of Youth and Children's Court.

And tonight, I have the great pleasure of reconnecting with another group from my legal past - Justices of the Peace.  People before whose Courts I appeared in the 1970s and people whose efforts I endeavoured to support as a working Judge in the 1980s and early 90s.

I witnessed many times the important role you play in the provision of frontline service to New Zealanders and their needs.

I want to acknowledge the contribution your members make in New Zealand to seeing justice done - not just activities in the courtroom, but in the support you provide to the community to the police and, more recently, to our mental health sector.

I must also acknowledge the contribution you make in the

. Indeed, I recently hosted a farewell for the current Coroners, who are facing considerable changes to the court.

I know that Justices of the Peace provide support for our Coroners. Theirs is a hard, often solitary job, and your contribution is greatly appreciated.

Of course, many thousands of Justices of the Peace provide services outside the judicial system.

Your work makes a difference to our communities in so many and varied ways. Your ability to support New Zealanders in times of need - as well as in times of celebration - is a wonderful and reassuring feature of our society.

While the Royal Federation of New Zealand Justices Associations was established nearly 80 years ago, your membership has evolved as the make-up of New Zealand has changed.

One of the very pleasing trends within this institution is that your ethnic and gender split so well reflects the New Zealand population.

In particular, it is good to see such a mix of ethnicities coming to be reflected in your membership. As our national identity is more and more defined by our multiculturalism, it is absolutely vital that as many of our communities are represented by Justices of the Peace as possible.

Your warrant empowers you to serve your community and uphold the law. This demands sensitivity and understanding as well as leadership. These are qualities you display every day.

I had the great pleasure just this week of signing 23 nominations to the office of Justice of the Peace. Each of those nominations I received were guaranteed people of sound calibre - people who had displayed strong ethics and character.

I have every confidence that each of these individuals will contribute in their own way to the strong tradition that the Office upholds.

I encourage each of you to continue providing leadership not only to those communities you serve, but to the Justices of the Peace who are new to this office so they may continue the strong tradition of this office.

Yours is an important role and one that New Zealand simply could not do without.

I am delighted to announce this 79th Annual Conference of the Royal Federation of New Zealand Justices Associations now officially open.

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