Christ the King School

May 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 afternoon (Sign)

May I then specifically greet you: Dr Jana Nair, Chairperson of the Christ the King School Board of Trustees and your fellow trustees; Jane Hahn, Principal of Christ the King School and members of your staff; Your Lordship Pat Dunn, Bishop of Auckland; Hon Phil Goff, Leader of the Opposition and Member of Parliament for Mt Roskill; Wayne McDonald, Auckland-Northland Regional Manager of the New Zealand Transport Agency; Br Pat Lynch, Chief Executive of the Catholic Education Office; Monsignor Ray Green, Parish Priest; students, families and friends; Distinguished Guests otherwise; Ladies and Gentlemen, Boys and Girls. 

In the context of this highly multicultural school, and to follow the words of the greeting song just provided, I am able to add some more relevant Pacific, Asian and even three African greetings:- Talofa lava, Malo e lelei, Bula Vinaka, Aloha, Namaste, Kumusta , Ni hao, Mangwanani , Salibonani , Edmenachu .

Thank you for inviting me to join everyone for Mass and now for this ceremony to mark the re-opening of the Christ the King School.  Before officially opening these new buildings a little later in this ceremony, I would like to speak a little about the role I undertake as Governor-General and a little about your school and the importance of education.

I will arrange to be sent this week a class set of a booklet that Government House has published called New Zealand’s Governor-General: Constitution, Ceremony and Community which describes the role of New Zealand’s Governor-General in some detail.

From the way I speak, you can probably tell I am a New Zealander.  From the way I look, you can also probably tell I am of Indian origin.  The reason is that my grand parents migrated to Fiji from India and my parents were born in Fiji and moved to Auckland where I was born.  In another words I am another New Zealand with an international background.

After going to school in Ponsonby and Glen Innes, I studied at university in Auckland and before working as a lawyer.  In 1982, I was appointed as a judge and in 1995 as an ombudsman.  In 2006, I was appointed Governor-General.

The role of Governor-General has changed as New Zealand has changed.  Prior to 1967, Governors General usually were British-born.  New Zealand is now a fully independent country and since 1967, all Governors-General have been New Zealanders and have come from a number of backgrounds.

Including myself, four have been judges, one was a mayor, another a Prime Minister, one an archbishop, one a diplomat and another a doctor.  One of those Governors-General was Māori and two were women, while I have both Asian and Pacific background.  This demonstrates another facet of our country that one’s background is no bar to achieving public office. 

The ethnicities and cultures on display at this school demonstrate again how our country is becoming increasingly diverse, with people of many different cultures, religions and races living here.  I have read with interest the ERO report completed on the school and can see how hard the teachers and those supporting them all work together.

At school events, I am often asked to explain how my job works and I will do that as succinctly as I can.  To start, I need to provide an explanation of how our system of government works.

New Zealand is a monarchy, which means that our Head of State is Queen Elizabeth II.  Because she is in London, she needs someone based in New Zealand to represent her.  That person is the Governor-General who is appointed to do what is called for for five years when another person will be appointed.

New Zealand is also a democracy which means that the people of New Zealand elect their Members of Parliament.  At the end of the electoral term the Governor General issues the documents for Parliament to cease its business and for a general election to take place.  Some weeks later after the election campaign the people go to the polling booths on election day.  When the votes are counted it is realised who has the more votes and who is able to form the next government.  The Prime Minister heads the Government because he or she is the MP able to lead, having obtained the support of more than half of the Members present in it.  An important role of the Governor-General is to appoint the Prime Minister after an election.

Then after everything returns to normal after the election there are other legal items to be attended to.  When the Government in Parliament passes pieces of legislation, the Governor-General signs them in the name of the Queen so they can become part of New Zealand’s laws.  The Governor-General also signs other important documents appointing people to be such things as Judges, Officers in the Defence Force and Heads of Government Departments.  

The second part of the role is ceremonial. This means that the Governor-General represents the country at public ceremonies such as the opening of Parliament, the welcoming of visiting Heads of State and attending Waitangi Day and ANZAC Day events. 

The third part of the role is to do with the community.  This means visiting people and places throughout New Zealand attending celebrations, opening new buildings and observing things that people have done well.  This last aspect is the most busy in terms of time. It is also that part of the job which makes for keeping in touch with so many New Zealanders in every part of the country.

And that is what has brought me to Owairaka and to the Christ the King school this afternoon – the happy event of a school re-opening.  It provides another opportunity and to have emphasised those things that positively unite New Zealanders in their daily lives.

Education is such an important part of life.  The teachers here are not only giving you pupils the skills to read, write and do long division, but how to understand the world around you. 

Your school’s motto is “To serve God and grow.”   May I say that there is no better way to serve God and grow than through education.  A combination of faith and education gives each person an opportunity to realise our potential and become everything we want to be.  As the American academic and inspirational author, Dr Leo Buscaglia once said: “Your talent is God’s gift to you. What you do with it is your gift back to God.”

In particular, if I could stress one single thing to everyone who is a pupil at this school, it would be to read, read and read. It would be to say “never stop reading”.  If sport and exercise keep the body fit and healthy, it is reading that keeps your brain fit and healthy.

In conclusion, these new school buildings mark a new beginning for the Christ the King School, established 56 years ago in 1953, by the Sisters of St Joseph.  It is a time of celebration and joy for the school as it works towards the future.  It is also a celebration for the community as the opening of new school facilities reaffirms trust in the power of education to transform our country for the better.  To that end I also wish to take an opportunity to congratulate the New Zealand Transport Agency, its contractors, and the Catholic Diocese of Auckland upon bringing this project to fruition.  

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.