AUT Chancellors Dinner

Ladies and Gentlemen, I greet you in the languages of the realm of New Zealand - English, Maori, CookIsland, Niue and Tokelau.

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

Specifically I greet you: University Chancellor, Sir Paul Reeves (e tenakoe rangatira nui) and I recognise a number of important figures in education and business and the community whose goodwill underpins this institution.

My wife Susan and I thank you for your invitation to the Auckland University of Technology Chancellors Dinner tonight.

Since becoming Governor-General nearly seven months ago, I have attended with Susan a great many engagements which have had a focus on education. We have visited schools, universities and other learning institutions.  We have celebrated the success of students both young and old, and we have witnessed the role that education plays in improving the lives of many.

Education plays a critical role in developing each of us as an individual. A point which will not be lost on anyone this evening.

American philosopher Mortimer Adler once said, and I quote:

The purpose of learning is growth, and our minds, unlike our bodies, can continue growing as we continue to live.

Education is fundamentally important to human development.

It is, however, also important in developing our country as a whole. 

Good education produces the next generation of thinkers, leaders and creators. It is what continues to make our country successful on the world stage - as well as being an enjoyable place to live.

New Zealand's achievements in this regard are evidence of the quality of our education system and its ability to serve each of us individually, for the benefit of our country as a whole.

It is interesting to consider, then, that each of us respond best to different teaching methods. This poses an ongoing challenge to every education system.

It is widely recognised that there is more than one right way to teach. Indeed, it may be better to allow flexible learning to suit each individual.

That is, of course, not practical in every teaching environment. However the principle that no one size fits all is apt for mention in tonight's setting. 

That is because tonight we acknowledge a university which prides itself on challenging the norm. It has demonstrated an ability to change with the environment around it and to meet the changing needs of its student population.

Auckland University of Technology, or AUT as it is widely known, is New Zealand's newest university. However, the institution's history of learning in Auckland stretches back more than one hundred years.

Established in 1895 as the AucklandTechnicalSchool, and latterly after the death of Richard John Seddon in 1906, what later generations of Aucklanders knew as "Seddon Tech"  it provided trade skills urgently needed by the rapidly growing settlement. Its original roll of thirty were taught subjects such as mechanical and architectural drawing, cookery and dressmaking.

Over the years, this institution redefined its teaching approach and educational offer in response to the changing needs of the community. It has never settled on the status quo. It has challenged, questioned, and sought out the best way to educate New Zealanders.  

In 1960 it became one of New Zealand's first polytechnics, when a school called SeddonHigh School split from it and here became the Auckland Technical Institute. I came here with Susan in the early 1970s to classes of that wonderful Auckland educator Ivan Moses teaching classes of effective rapid reading.  Ivan's  son Roger is a leading New Zealand secondary school principal at WellingtonCollege.

A further name change in 1989 saw it become the Auckland Institute of Technology.

In 2000, it gained university status, thereby allowing the adoption of University into its title.

It is, therefore, not surprising that AUT prides itself on being a highly responsive, modern university. 

One example of this modern approach is its small class sizes. This is a commendable effort at a time where university enrolments in New Zealand are at their highest ever level. 

The AUT is also highly responsive to the changing professional job market. 

Many new sectors are experiencing rapid growth, for example the communications, design and IT industries. 

As a result, AUT has placed a greater focus on education in these areas. Coupled with this is an ever-increasing demand for graduates with practical experience. AUT has met this demand. It encourages a co-operative style of learning, whereby students have the opportunity to work in their chosen industry to gain relevant experience.

It seems that AUT is well on its way to meeting the demands of a modern New Zealand. 

I would like to register thanks again for the opportunity to speak tonight. I have no doubt that through its unique approach to tertiary education, AUT will continue to grow and prosper in the coming years.

I wish you all the best in this endeavour.

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.