Aspiring Leaders Forum

I begin by greeting everyone in the languages of the realm of New Zealand, in English, Māori, Cook Island Māori, Niuean, Tokelauan and New Zealand Sign Language.   Greetings, Kia Ora, Kia Orana, Fakalofa Lahi Atu, Taloha Ni and as it is the evening (Sign)

I specifically greet you: Jo Goodhew, Acting host Member of Parliament on behalf of Deputy Prime Minister, Hon Bill English (who is the host MP of the Aspiring Leaders Forum and unable to be with us this evening); Minister of the Crown, Hon Peter Dunne; Hon Phil Goff, Leader of the Opposition and the many members of Parliament present this evening;  John Sax, Chairman of the Aspiring Leaders Trust and your fellow trustees; Your Worships Dale Williams, Maureen Reynolds, Jenny Rowan, Brendon Duffy and Trish Giddens, Mayors of Otorohanga; Tararua; Kapiti; Horowhenua; and Central Hawkes Bay respectively; Dr Gareth Morgan, the keynote speaker tonight and Mrs Morgan; Distinguished guests otherwise; Ladies and Gentlemen, and Young Leaders.

Thank you for inviting my wife Susan and I to be here for the beginning of this year’s Aspiring Leaders Forum.  I have the task of  formal welcome to you to tonight’s event and to address the topic of leadership—particularly about what values may underpin leadership.

This is the third time I have been invited to the opening of the Forum, and I first want to acknowledge each of you being here because of each of you having demonstrated to those who have put you forward, a number of leadership qualities.

I have had a number of experiences of leadership, not only in my present role but which go back through careers as a Parliamentary Ombudsman, a Judge and as a legal practitioner.  These all tell me that there are two words that are crucial to leadership - trust and respect.  They are two qualities that must be earned and can never be taken for granted.  

Another aspect, often present, is courage and the relationship of courage to leadership was, in my view, put well by the one time Anglican Bishop of Auckland, the late Rt Rev Godfrey Armstrong Wilson saying: “When what one believes to be morally right is clearly seen to take precedence over personal ambition and pleasure—that is true leadership.”

Opportunities where one can demonstrate leadership skills that will lead to trust and respect being provided by others will come to all of us every day of our lives in the most “ordinary” of situations. The challenge is that of recognition.

Our Queen, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, recently spoke about leadership when she addressed the United Nations in New York just over a fortnight ago on 6 July .  She noted that the aims and values that had inspired the United Nations Charter—promoting world peace, security and justice; ending hunger, poverty and disease; and protecting the rights and liberties of all citizens—had endured.

She said that “waging peace” was perhaps the hardest form of leadership and added, and I quote: “I know of no single formula for success, but over the years I have observed that some attributes of leadership are universal, and are often about finding ways of encouraging people to combine their efforts, their talents, their insights, their enthusiasm and their inspiration, to work together.”

Her Majesty pointed out that many of the most sweeping changes in social attitudes since she had last visited the United Nations in 1957 had not come from governments, committee resolutions or central directives—although these had played a part—but because millions of people had wanted them.  She then said, and I quote again:

“For the United Nations, these subtle yet significant changes in people's approach to leadership and power might have foreshadowed failure and demise.  Instead, the United Nations has grown and prospered by responding and adapting to these shifts.”

In essence, this matter of change, when it is warranted, seems to be at the heart of leadership, whether it is at work, in one’s community or nationally and internationally.  Responding to those around us, while being able to stick to our own values and principles, is a most important element of leadership.

As another example of leadership, I would like to mention the work of a New Zealand doctor, Dr Swee Tan, who is an internationally recognised plastic surgeon and who, among other roles, heads the Wellington Regional Plastic, Maxillofacial and Burns Unit at Hutt Hospital.

In his “spare time”—I place the words in quotes—Professor Tan leads a small team that has just won an international science prize for breakthrough research on stem cells.  According to a New Zealand Listener profile this month of Professor Tan, he was born into a family of 14 children and spent much of his childhood doing hard physical work on plantations in Malaysia.

He did not learn English until after leaving high school, but after only nine months study in his new language, he won a scholarship to medical school in Melbourne before moving to New Zealand to work.  Looking back on his career to date, Professor Tan, made the following observations: 

“Life unfolds as you go along, not as you expect, and quite often much better than we expect.  You have to take every opportunity and cherish everything that comes along.  People often don’t realise opportunities are at their doorsteps.  It’s a matter of recognising them, because opportunities will be coming and going-and they can bypass you.”

This event tonight is the beginning of four days of a great opportunity for those who have been nominated to attend.  The challenge is to make the most of your time here while also having an enjoyable time working together.  You are in the precincts of Parliament where some of our country’s great leaders have worked in the interests of their fellow New Zealanders.  There is a huge amount to be absorbed here, from talking,  from observing and from reading.

And you can begin that absorption this evening by observing that no fewer than 28 MPs have supported this programme and dinner.  They range from those in big city electorates in Auckland and Wellington such as Nikki Kaye, Dr Paul Hutchison, Peseta Sam Lotu-liga, Phil Goff, Peter Dunne, Chris Hipkins and Grant Robertson,  those from South Island electorates such as Jo Goodhew,  Chris Auchinvole and Eric Roy and those from other North Island electorates such as Sandra Goudie, Tim Macindoe, Iain Lees-Galloway, Chester Borrows and Hone Harawira.  There are also many list MPs here from throughout the country including Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi, Dr Jackie Blue, Cam Calder, Steve Chadwick, David Clendon, Gareth Hughes, Moana Mackey, Stuart Nash, Dr Rajen Prasad, Paul Quinn, Katrina Shanks, Metiria Turei and Michael Woodhouse.

We are coming up in a day or so to Māori Language Week , and I would like to offer a pertinent Māori quotation which connects many of the points I have made. In Māori the words say: “Ki ngā whakaeke haumi.”

In literal terms this phrase urges us to join those who can join sections of a canoe, as large canoes often consist of several sections and joining them requires considerable skill.   However, this proverb more generally serves as a metaphor that one should seek leaders who are able to weld diverse groups into a successful combination.  Whether it is in business, politics, academia, sports or community service, it is an uncommon quality, but it one that binds many others together. 

Having thus made three points about leadership—defining it by the terms trust, respect and courage—describing it through The Queen’s words of encouraging others and embracing change—and crystallising it by noting Dr Swee Tan’s advice “to grab the moment” and wrapping it in a Māori proverb, I shall close in our country’s first language, offering everyone present greetings, and wishing everyone good health and fortitude in your endeavours.

No reira, tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou, kia ora, kia kaha, tēnā koutou katoa.