Speech
91st National Council, Royal New Zealand Returned and Services' Association
Ladies and Gentlemen, I greet you in the languages of the realm of New Zealand - English, Maori, Cook Island Maori, Niuean, Tokelauan and New Zealand Sign Language.
Greetings, Kia Ora, Kia Orana, Fakalofa Lahi Atu, Taloha Ni and (Sign)
Greetings specifically: Acting Prime Minister, Hon Jim Anderton; Minister of Veteran's Affairs, Hon Rick Barker; Your Worship, Mayor Kerry Prendergast; Delegates and Distinguished Guests.
It is a pleasure for Susan and myself to be here and for me to formally open the 91st National Council of the Royal New Zealand Returned and Services' Association.
In every New Zealand setting, whoever speaks ought first to establish a place to stand before the audience. In that regard I speak as Governor-General, continuing a long-held tradition for holders of that office to attend and formally open the Annual General Meetings of the Association.
Last year was significant for the RSA because it was both the Year of the Veteran and the 90th anniversary of the Association. I know from the Press and a number of encounters that this made it a very busy year for all New Zealanders involved in the work of the RSA.
Under the leadership of your outgoing National President, John Campbell, the Association has focused heavily on youth activities in 2007. Your members have been deeply involved with the New Zealand Cadet Force, as well as with other youth-centred organisations such as Scouting New Zealand.
In the spirit of planning for the future, the Association has released a 10-point youth manifesto which aims to support our young people and prepare them to contribute to a democratic, prosperous and peaceful future for our country.
The Association's focus on youth is apt when it is considered how many young people have lost their lives in battle. The document is a well written subscription.
In just a few days time, New Zealanders will commemorate the 90th Anniversary of Passchendaele. On 12 October 1917, more than 2,700 New Zealanders - many of them young - were either killed, wounded or listed as missing in a single day on the Western Front.
I led a small delegation to Belgium earlier this year to represent our country and for the commemoration of the beginning of the Battles in Flanders. Like many New Zealanders who have been there, I was struck by the fact that that far away setting on the other side of the world, had become the gravesite for so many of our country's young people.
I am told the organisers of Passchendaele expect many young people to make their way to Ieper, in Belgium, to pay their respects this year. This reflects a recent resurgence of interest amongst our younger people in our nation's past - and they will find an array of cemeteries, war memories and a museum display including work designed by a New Zealander there in place.
I want to acknowledge the role the RSA has played in keeping the memory of our country's past losses alive in the minds of new generations. This remembrance can only bode well for a peaceful future.
As Spanish-born but United States philosopher and essayist, George Santayana said in 1905:
Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.
Linked with this is acknowledgement that the RSA has become an organization offering fellowship, support and encouragement for those in the services years later. As John Campbell's Annual Report says:
"The RSA's 'force of numbers' is one of its greatest strengths" and it is "by far and away the [country's] largest veterans and community service organization."
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
I am pleased to officially open the 91st National Council meeting of the Royal New Zealand Returned and Services Association.