Cancer Society Lion's Lodge opening.

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 morning (Sign)

I then specifically greet you: Clive Cleland, President of the Cancer Society of New Zealand; Jan Wright, President of the Waikato-Bay of Plenty Division of the Cancer Society and your board members; Judy Gould, Chief Executive of the Waikato-Bay of Plenty Division and your staff; Your Worship Julie Hardaker, Mayor of Hamilton; Kaumātua Tuahu Watene; Lodge Manager Annie Schenkel and your staff and volunteers; members of the Cancer Society and local Lions Clubs; Distinguished Guests otherwise including Tim MacIndoe and David Bennett, Members of Parliament; Bob Simcock, Former Mayor; Alan Livingston, Mayor of Waipa; Martin Gallagher, City Councillor; Ladies and Gentlemen. 

Thank you for inviting me to the opening of the Cancer Society’s Lion’s Lodge here in Hamilton.   I have been asked to officially open this splendid new building and, later in the proceedings to unveil a plaque, but before doing so, I would like to speak of the importance and context of what is represented here this morning.

Before commenting further, I would like to note how distressed both I and my wife Susan have been by the unfolding disaster in Canterbury and Christchurch.  For so many lives to be lost and for so many to be injured made the disaster one of the bleakest days in our nation’s history.  Our hearts go out to those grieving for the loss of their loved ones and to those who are caring for those injured.  

As the disaster in Canterbury has shown, good health is something that is hugely important for everyone. It is also often taken for granted and only when a person is sick, do they realise the blessing of good health.  As one whose parents were both health practitioners, a GP and a nurse, and as someone who has encountered a few health issues over the years, I can readily understand the words of Mahatma Gandhi, who spoke of the value of good health, saying:  “It is health that is real wealth and not pieces of gold and silver.”

Cancer, in all its forms, is on the rise in New Zealand.  With an ageing population and improved detection and screening programmes, the latest figures available, released by the Ministry of Health in April last year, show that more than 18,800 cancers were registered in New Zealand in 2006—a 16 percent increase on a decade earlier.

According to the Ministry, cancer is the second leading cause of death and a major cause of hospitalisation in New Zealand. It reports that one in three New Zealanders will have some experience of cancer, either personally, or through a relative or friend, in their lifetime.

What lies behind these numbers are hundreds of thousands of New Zealanders whose lives are directly or indirectly affected by cancer every year.

While a diagnosis of cancer is something no-one wants to hear, if it is caught early, most cancers are treatable.  Beating cancer involves a combination of personal lifestyle changes, support from friends and family, medical initiatives and community support.

It is on the last matter—that of community support—where facilities such as the Cancer Society’s Lion’s Lodge are so important.  Modern healthcare, and in particular modern cancer treatment, is an increasingly expensive business and it is simply no longer affordable for every treatment to be delivered locally.

As we have heard, more than 700 people from throughout the central North Island travel to Waikato Hospital for cancer treatment.  Given the limits of the public purse, these people all need to find their own accommodation, organise their own meals and their own travel to the hospital on top of dealing with treatment that, in the short-term at least, is often debilitating.

For 40 years, the Cancer Society Lion’s Lodge has been a welcoming home-away-from-home for those fighting cancer.   But as I have mentioned, cancer registrations are increasing and the old Lodge on the Waikato Hospital campus was simply too small and a new home was needed.

The new Cancer Society Lion’s Lodge reflects the strength of the Waikato-Bay of Plenty community in many ways. 

First, as a community organisation, the Cancer Society does not receive direct government funding and relies on donations, bequests and fundraising to operate.  That it is able to operate this facility, providing free meals, accommodation and support to so many speaks of an organisation that is highly valued by the community of which it is an integral part.

Secondly, the Society has partnered with many other voluntary groups, and particularly the local Lion’s Clubs, to bring this to fantastic project to fruition.   I understand of the $5 million need to be fundraised that $2 million has already been raised.  I wish you all the best with your ongoing efforts.

Finally, what is most heartening is the significant contribution of volunteers to the operation of the Lodge.  Outside of Annie Schenkel’s small and hardworking team, a veritable army of volunteers ensures that those living here get the support that they need.  It is yet another example of how the spirit of volunteering is literally “the glue” that holds our society together. 

More than four years ago, in my first few months in office, I opened the Auckland Cancer Society’s new Research Centre in November 2006.

I noted that in the short-time I had been in the Governor-General role, I had already met hundreds of New Zealanders whose work was, in some way, changing the lives of others.  

While that centre plays a significant role in researching new treatments for cancer, the facility before us today is at the other end of the spectrum, providing hands-on assistance to those fighting the disease.  But what bridges both, is the people who are working, in many ways, to change and improve the lives of others.

This sort of point was well made by the South African Archbishop Desmond Tutu who once said:

“It is important to know that each one of us can make a contribution.  Too frequently we think we have to do spectacular things, and yet if we remembered that the sea is actually made up of drops of water, and each drop counts—each one of us can do our little where we are and it those little bits that can come together and can overwhelm the world.”

And on that note, it gives me great pleasure to officially declare the new Cancer Society Lion’s Lodge officially open. 

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.