Speech
Asthma and Respiratory Achievers Awards
May I begin by greeting everyone 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 as it is the early evening (Sign)
May I specifically greet you: Jane Patterson, Executive Director of the Asthma and Respiratory Foundation and Members of the Foundation Board; Hon Mita Ririnui, Associate Minister of Health; Award recipients; Distinguished Guests otherwise; Ladies and Gentlemen.
It is with pleasure that my wife Susan and I welcome you to Government House in Wellington today for the presentation of the 2007 Asthma and Respiratory Achievers Awards.
As Patron of the Asthma and Respiratory Foundation, I have been asked to present the award to this year's Award winners, but before I do I would like to speak briefly about the impact of asthma and respiratory diseases on our community and the work of the Foundation.
Asthma and respiratory diseases are hugely common in our society today. It is estimated that more than 800,000 New Zealanders suffer from asthma or a respiratory disease. That's about one in five people. Among Maori, while the incidence is similar to the general population, respiratory illnesses result in a far higher proportion of deaths and sickness.
But asthma and respiratory diseases are largely hidden, for two reasons. First, unlike someone whose leg may be in a cast with a broken leg, it is often difficult at first sight to tell if someone has a respiratory disease.
Secondly, as they worsen over time, or if they are not correctly managed, asthma and respiratory diseases can force someone living with them to lead an increasingly isolated lifestyle, cut off from the community.
Since 1964, the Asthma and Respiratory Foundation and its 25 affiliated asthma societies have worked assiduously to support those who live with respiratory diseases as well as funding research to find treatments to ease their symptoms and hopefully, one day to find a cure. Given the link between smoking and many respiratory diseases, particularly Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, it is a strong advocate of health promotion measures designed to reduce the numbers of New Zealanders smoking. It has also adopted a specific strategy for addressing the severity of the diseases, based on partnership with iwi and Mori communities.
The Asthma and Respiratory Achievers Awards, which have been awarded every two years since 1999, recognise those who have not let their condition hold them back despite the challenges they face in their daily lives.
I wish to commend the Asthma and Respiratory Foundation on this initiative, which reminds us all that behind the names of illnesses and diseases and statistics about their incidence, are individual people, each with their own story to tell. The awards not only remind the wider community of the impact respiratory diseases have on the community, but also provide role models for others living with these diseases.
In conclusion, I congratulate not only the eight award recipients but also everyone who was nominated. Your achievements are an inspiration to us all. I also wish to thank everyone involved in organising and supporting this event and wish the Foundation all the best for its ongoing work.
On that note I will close in Maori by 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.