Thank you for your kind invitation for me to be with you today, for this very special celebration of the Cambodian New Year. I understand that this is the first time a Governor-General has visited this temple, and I am both honoured and proud to be here.
I wish to begin by acknowledging the Buddha and his teachings of compassion and equanimity, which continue to resonate so clearly in our world today.
I am struck, being here this morning, by the beauty of this temple, and of this community – and I wish to acknowledge the Senior Venerable Suthep Surapong for your gracious leadership of the Cambodian community over many years.
I also wish to acknowledge Dame Fiona Kidman, who I know to be a dear friend of this community. And to all guests here today – tēnā koutou katoa.
As Governor-General, one of my main priorities is to encourage a sense of kotahitanga across New Zealand communities – to celebrate New Zealand’s diversity and those things we all share. Nearly halfway into my term of office, I have had the great pleasure of meeting New Zealanders of all faiths and backgrounds, and of continuing to learn about our remarkable cultural and religious diversity.
In preparing to join you for this morning’s celebration, I have enjoyed learning about the traditions often associated with the Khmer New Year: with the three days of celebrations, including time for reflection, worship, and prayer; acts of charity; and the exchanging of gifts and wisdom within families. I look forward to learning more about the celebrations over the course of this morning.
I know that many of the first Cambodian migrants to New Zealand arrived in extremely difficult circumstances, fleeing the Khmer Rouge, and I wish to acknowledge the terrible losses which I am sure are still deeply felt by many here today and your whānau.
Since the arrival of the first Cambodian migrants in the 1970s, the contributions of New Zealand’s Cambodian community continue to be seen and felt across our society. From performances of Cambodian music and dance at multicultural festivals, to the outstanding examples of Cambodian cuisine found in restaurants around the country – including, of course, the legendary Angkor Wat and Siam Reap here in Wellington: Cambodian culture touches and enriches New Zealand in so many ways.
As Governor-General, I am always especially moved by communities such as yours across the country, who take a deep sense of pride and joy in sharing your culture and traditions with your fellow New Zealanders. In doing so, you seem to me to embody to the words of the Buddha himself when he said: ‘Teach this triple truth to all: a generous heart, kind speech, and a life of service and compassion are the things which renew humanity.’
My thanks once again for hosting me here today – and I wish you all a very safe, happy, and prosperous year ahead.
Akhoun charan. Kia ora huihui tātou katoa.