Autism New Zealand

E kui mā, e koro mā, e huihui nei, tēnei aku mihi māhana ki a koutou.  Nau mai, haere mai rā ki Te Whare Kawana o Tamaki Makaurau.  Kia ora tātou katoa.  Ladies and gentlemen, warm greetings to you all, and welcome to Government House.

I specifically acknowledge: Doug Lloyd and Dane Dougan, Chairman and CEO respectively of Autism New Zealand. 

It is a great pleasure for Janine and me to welcome you to Government House for this gala reception.  As Patron of Autism New Zealand, I acknowledge and celebrate the important work Autism New Zealand carries out for people living with Autism spectrum disorder - ASD.

According to Ministry of Health statistics, ASD is thought to affect one in every one hundred New Zealanders.  Multiplying that out to our population of 4.5 million, we can estimate that there are more than 45,000 people who live with a variant of ASD.  That’s equivalent to the population of Nelson, or more than 40% of all children under 15 in Auckland – a considerable number.

ASD is often described as a `hidden' disability.  As many here this evening will be aware, it is a life-long developmental disability.  The condition affects every aspect of a person's day-to-day life, including social inclusion.  It’s associated with a lack of flexibility in thought and action and its form and severity varies from person to person.  Those affected all share some difficulty in making sense of their world.

In researching what I might say to you, I came across this quote from an anonymous New Zealander with ASD, which gives an insight into how it feels to live with the condition: - 

“It is common for me and other people with autism to be unable to say the words to describe what is bothering us. It’s also hard for us to figure out that other people don’t experience the world the same way we do.”

The exact causes of ASD are still unknown.  Research shows genetic factors play a significant part, with onset almost always from birth or before age three.  It is still the case that people with the condition may go through life without being diagnosed - and without receiving help that could help them live more fulfilled lives.

Undiagnosed, our children are at risk of going through their most important developmental years unsupported, unable to fully understand the world around them, and more importantly unable to express themselves in a way that their friends and family can understand.

Tonight is an opportunity to acknowledge and celebrate the work of Autism New Zealand in supporting New Zealanders.  We celebrate that, from when it was established, almost 20 years ago, this organisation has worked to raise awareness of the need for early intervention, and to provide strategies for families to assist in the growth of their child.

Tonight we acknowledge that Autism New Zealand is one of the leading providers of autism services to New Zealanders.  It provides essential support, resources and information on ASD to those living with the conditions, their family, their caregivers and professionals working with them.

Tonight, we also acknowledge and celebrate the people of Autism New Zealand in the 16 branches throughout New Zealand – and especially the volunteers - that offer support, including holiday programmes, music therapy, social skills programmes, coffee mornings, regular meetings with guest speakers, and pre-school assistance. 

A society can be judged on the way it cares for its most vulnerable members.  So I extend my thanks to the full-time staff, the volunteers and supporters who ensure that the valuable work of Autism New Zealand continues.

Kia ora huihui tātou katoa, and please enjoy the hospitality of Government House.