Canterbury University Honorary Doctorate

Nga hau e wha, nga iwi e tau nei, tena koutou katoa. 

E nga mana, e nga reo, rau rangatira ma, tena koutou, tena koutou, tena koutou katoa.

Thank you Professor Burrows.  Madam Chancellor.

Thank you for the honour bestowed on me today.  It is indeed a privilege to receive an honorary doctorate from this prestigious law faculty.

Thank you also to my fellow graduates who have made me feel so welcome here today.

I have received a number of privileges in my time but, setting aside this Degree of Doctor of Laws (honoris causa), there has been one that has proved to be the greatest.  Let me put it in context.  I grew up as the third child of six in a family with very little in the way of material assets.  My father was educated to the age of twelve, and my mother, in line to be dux of her school, was obliged to take a job offered to her because her father was out of work in the depths of the great depression.  Unlike many others of their era however, they firmly believed that the greatest gift they could give their children, particularly their daughters, was that of an education.  Having worked in many manual jobs during my school and university days, I rapidly realised that only a higher education would release me to work in an interesting job, with sufficient income to raise the family that ultimately I forgot to have.  I have a personal experience of the way in which an education can and does transform lives. 

There is a much more eminent example - and one who studied at this University.  Ernest Rutherford was born near Nelson, in 1871, the fourth child of 12, to James Rutherford, a mechanic, wheelwright, engineer, flax-miller and farmer and his wife, Martha Thompson, a school teacher before her marriage. Both parents were keen that their children gain an education. They raised them with the dictum, "All knowledge is power." 

Between 1892 and 1895 Rutherford completed a Bachelor of Arts degree from Canterbury College and won the only Senior Scholarship available for mathematics in New Zealand. He then completed a Master of Arts with double first class honours in mathematics and in physics, and a Bachelor of Science in geology and chemistry. 

He was awarded an Exhibition of 1851 Science Research Scholarship and elected to work as a research student at the Cavendish Laboratory, University of Cambridge. Family anecdote recalls that Ernest was on the farm working when he received news of the scholarship: "That's the last potato I will ever dig" he remarked. 

I know exactly how he felt.  I can still recall the rigours of working long hours in a factory in Dunedin all summer to earn enough to support myself for about half of the academic year.  I still don't like apricot jam.

Since those days I have worked in the law, in the Courts and on a United Nations committee devoted to ensuring that women's human rights are respected and promoted.  Over and over again I have seen that providing an education to those who have not hitherto been part of the educated classes will change that person's whole life - giving her the opportunity to earn a living, and be financially independent if she has no partner willing or able to support her family.  It will ensure that her health and that of her children is promoted.  It gives her respect, and confidence.  It enables her to sift myth and false cultural notions from sound ethical principles.

Education not only opens doors, more importantly, it also opens minds.  Lyndon B. Johnson once said:  "Books and ideas are the greatest weapons against intolerance and ignorance."  Though I confess to being unsure whether these were his golden words, or his speech writer's.
 

A person with and education can think for herself, and not be subjected to the tyranny of the bigoted.  In short education will change her life fundamentally, as it has done for me, the daughter of a man who owned a shoe shop. And it has indeed opened undreamed of opportunities.  For there was only one prerequisite for my current job, and that was a good education.

The number of people gaining degrees in New Zealand is rising.  That is good news for our country in both economic and social terms.

Despite that rise, the ratio of adults who have a degree remains only 1 in 8.  So while higher education is the right of every New Zealander, it remains the privilege of the relatively few.  This means that, while each graduate here today thoroughly deserves his or her qualification, they are also privileged to have it.  Treat that privilege with respect.  And be proud of what you have achieved.  Never underestimate the value to you and to others of what you have accomplished.  And as you become influential in your communities remember those who have not had the same privilege, or vision, or opportunity to gain a degree.  Nurture and encourage them, show them a glimpse of the way in which your education has transformed your lives and the lives of your family and even of your friends.  Support them as they strive to gain a higher education themselves, and you will have made a greater contribution to your country and your fellow citizens than you can imagine.

May I mention your families.  It has been important to have their support in order to pursue an education and, your educational progress will reflect well and have positive effects for them.

And as for your friends - some of those graduating with you today will be your friends for life.  Encourage them and be as proud of their achievements as you are of your own. 

I want to leave you with a few thoughts:

Be proud of your heritage, and the University which has made it possible for you to graduate.

Make the most of the knowledge you have gained here, and take every opportunity that comes your way to achieve your goals.

And above all, value education as a lifelong privilege, one that is not given to everyone. 

My grateful thanks again for this very special honour, and my warmest congratulations to those who graduate today. 

Kia ora koutou katoa.