Business Hall of Fame Awards

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 then specifically greet you: Tony Caughey, Chair of the Young Enterprise Trust and your fellow trustees; Sir Eion Edgar, Chairman of the Laureate Selection Panel and your fellow panel members; Allen Williams, Chief Executive of Fairfax New Zealand; Fred Hellaby, Chairman of the Auckland Chamber of Commerce and your Directors; Tim MacIndoe and Nikki Kaye, Members of Parliament; Distinguished Guests otherwise; Ladies and Gentlemen. 

It has been a pleasure for Susan to accept the Young Enterprise Trust’s invitation to be here for the New Zealand Business Hall of Fame dinner.

This is the fourth such dinner I have addressed and, as my time in the role of Governor-General concludes in 25 days’ time, it will be the final encounter.

It will be an honour a little later this evening to present the citations that recognise the six newest laureates of the New Zealand Business Hall of Fame.

However, before doing so I would like speak briefly on the significance of these awards in their honouring of the recipients’ outstanding contribution to New Zealand and its economy and upon some of the key components that will ensure our country’s continued economic growth and success.

It seems important to bring to mind that the last time I spoke to this dinner, one year ago, New Zealanders had no idea of the calamities that then lay before us. The past 12 months have, without doubt, brought considerable sorrow and devastation to New Zealand.

The effects of the Canterbury and Christchurch earthquakes, in particular, will be felt by the New Zealand economy for a number of years.  Even so, it has been pleasing to read that Christchurch leads the South Island in business confidence. This was one of the key findings of a survey of South Island business leaders, conducted by business advisors Polson Higgs and McCulloch and Partners.  The survey was completed in June and included 49 businesses in Christchurch and 47 others from around the South Island.  It is heartening to see that despite the setbacks and difficulties those business leaders are facing, hope and resilience abound.

There are many reasons why this should be so.  In speaking of New Zealand’s economy, the Ministry of Economic Development’s 2011 Economic Development Indicator Report is a useful reference point. It draws together a broad range of publicly available data to provide a comprehensive picture of New Zealand’s medium-term economic performance.

What the report pinpoints is that innovation and entrepreneurship are at the heart of productivity growth.  Additionally it lists education levels, skills and talent as being important to economic development in that people possessing those attributes tend to be more innovative and productive.

Our country is one which can be described as having relatively high education levels with an increasing number of New Zealanders gaining tertiary qualifications. This transfers to an increasing number of graduates entering business with the skills and talent which will inevitably galvanise the innovative culture that is unique to New Zealand.

Sometimes we forget these qualities but they are readily apparent to those looking at us from afar.  I am reminded of Time magazine’s assessment of New Zealand and its innovative culture in 2003.  The magazine the noted as follows: “New Zealand is in the vanguard of a dynamic world—its human diversity, open spaces, wit, flexibility and sheer tenacity take a rugged isolated country and position it on the cutting edge of adventure, knowledge and creativity.”

It is true that New Zealanders are not afraid to try new ways of doing things, with the fear of failure being a somewhat distant threat. Those that are successful will almost certainly have failed a number of times before their victory.

From a different perspective, New Zealand comic Barry Crump put it well in his own laconic view.  Fifty years ago, he urged his readers to:  “Never tell them you can’t do a thing.  Get stuck in and have a go.  By the time they find out you’ve never done it before, you’re doing it!”

The six New Zealanders being recognised for their acumen this evening did more than just establish successful businesses.  They knew that resisting change and maintaining the status quo was never an option. Innovation and entrepreneurship—and getting stuck in—were essential to their personal and business successes.

In ensuring that their activities have been led by innovation and enterprise, each has made a significant contribution to New Zealand’s economic and social development. 

In a contemporary culture that seeks ‘instant gratification’ it has become increasingly important to emphasise the value and satisfaction that comes from sheer hard work and a motivation to succeed. The old saying that “nothing worthwhile ever comes easily” remains true.

Those receiving awards tonight represent role models for all New Zealanders of successful people in business who chose the hard road, where determination as well as creativity was required.

It seems fitting to end with some appropriate words of British wartime Prime Minister, Winston Churchill who said: “Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.”

And on that note I will close in New Zealand’s first language Māori, by offering everyone greetings and wishing you all good health and fortitude in your endeavours.  No reira, tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou, kia ora, kia kaha, tēnā koutou katoa.