Birthday celebration

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Nga mihi mahana ki a koutou - Your Royal Highnesses, The Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall; Prime Minister, Rt Hon John Key and Mrs Bronagh Key; distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen and especially those celebrating a birthday today—warm greetings and welcome to Government House.

Your Royal Highnesses: when the timing of your Diamond Jubilee visit to New Zealand was confirmed, we could hardly believe our luck that it coincided with His Royal Highnesses’ birthday.

If the Australians thought they were lucky to have you down-under to attend the Melbourne Cup, we considered hosting you on your birthday was, if you’ll excuse the pun, the icing on the cake.

A New Zealand themed birthday party was a must, and so we set about deciding how we would celebrate and with whom - who should we invite?  I had three people in mind, Bronagh Key, a special little confidant who unfortunately is not yet 18, and me.

To make it a special event, we looked at a number of different approaches. 

The decision to invite New Zealanders, turning 18 or older on 14 November, to apply to be a guest at this birthday celebration, and attendance selected through a ballot turned out to be inspirational.  In keeping with this being in your honour, we chose to select 64 birthdate guests.  Each person has also been able to nominate a guest to come along with them.

There were no advertisements, just a single announcement and a few media interviews.  But as soon as the announcement was made, the idea gained a life all of its own.  

It’s often said that New Zealand is a village.  Well the village grapevine went into overdrive and word spread like wildfire.  More than 1500 people lodged applications. 

Essentially one in six New Zealanders who were eligible to apply did so – as well as quite a few others who did not meet the criteria and thought they’d try their luck anyhow!  Everyone who has applied and met the criteria has been sent a birthday card as a keepsake.

There is something about Your Royal Highness’ birthday that resonates with people.  I have known since I was a boy that I shared your birthday and I’m sure all those here would say the same thing.  People born on 14 November often reference their birthday by saying: “It’s the same day as Prince Charles” in a way I’ve never heard said of another international figure.  I think it also reflects something about the timing of your birth as a time of new beginnings and something to celebrate soon after the Second World War.

The positive response we received in the call for applications speaks both of that connection and of the genuine warmth that New Zealanders hold for Your Royal Highnesses and for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, whose Diamond Jubilee we celebrate this year.

Those here come from all walks of life and all four corners of New Zealand.  They vary in age from 18 up to 101.  One guest has even flown here from overseas.  What you see before you is a little slice of New Zealand.

I’m sure everyone here will enjoy and remember sharing this Kiwi-themed birthday celebration with you.  We will enjoy the best in New Zealand cuisine and beverages, and we’ll be able to demolish the awesome cake prepared by our Head Chef, Simon Peacock.

And so finally, Your Royal Highness, as one who is also celebrating a birthday today, and on behalf of all those here marking their special day, may I wish you a very Happy Birthday!

Welcome again to New Zealand, and welcome everyone to Government House.  I think we can start the celebration in earnest!