Speech
Civic Dinner, Rotorua
I greet you all in the languages of the realm of New Zealand - English, Maori, Cook Island Maori, Niuean, Tokelauan and New Zealand Sign Language.
Greetings, Kia Ora, Kia Orana, Fakalofa Lahi Atu, Taloha Ni and as it is the evening (Sign)
May I specifically greet you: Your Worship, Kevin Winters; Mayor of the Rotorua District; Peter Guerin, Chief Executive of the Rotorua District Council; John Cronin; Chair of Environment Bay of Plenty; Bill Bayfield, Chief Executive of Environment Bay of Plenty; Councillors of the Rotorua District and Environment Bay of Plenty councils; Members of the Te Arawa Standing Committee; Mr Tony Horton, President of the Rotorua RSA; Mr Rolly Rolston; Secretary-Manager of the Rotorua RSA; Distinguished Guests otherwise; Ladies and Gentlemen.
Thank you for inviting my wife Susan and myself to this Civic Dinner at the Rotorua RSA clubrooms this evening.
While this is my first formal visit to the region since being sworn in as Governor-General in August last year, it is not the first time I have visited this beautiful part of the country.
As well as representing local people as a lawyer and undertaking jury trials while on circuit as a Judge, I also had considerable dealings with the area's central and local government agencies when serving as an Ombudsman. I also had responsibility for delivering several education courses for new members of the judiciary in Rotorua and, not surprisingly, we have also visited this region as tourists many times with family and friends.
In my first year in office, I have travelled to many parts of New Zealand and I have met many of the people who make this nation so special and who are the key to this young nation's large number of successes. Celebrating the achievements of New Zealanders is a key aspect of my role as Governor-General that gives me much pleasure.
Throughout the country, I have noted a strong sense of confidence. This strong heart is equally evident in here - for example the establishment of Rotorua's $25 million Energy Events Centre, which was opened by the Prime Minister, Rt Hon Helen Clark, in March. I am advised that plans are also in train for a refurbishment of the city's Museum of Art and History, which celebrates its centenary next year.
The strength of the tourism industry was evident at our visit to Te Puia and to Skylines Skyrides yesterday and to the Lakeland Queen earlier today.
Today we also toured the facilities of Red Stag Timber, which employs a significant number of people and is developing into a major exporter of timber. It has plans for a major mountain biking centre, which is likely to further boost the region's tourism potential.
New Zealand's growing ethnic diversity was on display when we met with the Rotorua Ethnic Council and the Rotorua Bay of Plenty Indian Society.
The strength of the region's Maori community and culture was on display at Tamatekapua Marae and also at Te Puia.
Tomorrow we will see the region's voluntary sector at its best when we visit the St Chad's Communication Centre, an educational facility for intellectually and physically disabled people. The hard work of volunteers will also be highlighted by our meeting with the region's Justices of the Peace.
Finally, we will see New Zealand's sporting prowess on display at a 1st Division rugby match between Wellington and Bay of Plenty. While some might think I will naturally support Wellington, I should point out that grew up in Auckland and spent a good proportion of my time outside the Capital, so I won't be picking any winners tonight!
Given that this meal is being held in the home of the local Returned & Services Association and there are representatives of the local RSAs here tonight, and also given I am Patron of the Royal NZ RSA, I believe it is important to note a significant anniversary that is rapidly approaching.
As I mentioned earlier when I toured this building, 90 years ago on 12 October, during the Third Battle of Passchendaele, New Zealand suffered the most casualties in one battle, either before or since. In just two hours, more than 2,800 New Zealand soldiers were killed, wounded or listed as missing - the most disastrous day in New Zealand's military history. It is a sacrifice that should never be forgotten.
So from New Zealand's sacrifices on far-flung battlefields, through to the achievements of our people in science, education, the law, sport, literature and the creative arts, we have much to be proud of. Almost all of these themes have been on display during our visit to Rotorua. All these achievements are from a nation which, as one observer noted, is about as old as the invention of photography.
Before I close, I would like to thank everyone, particularly those from the District Council, who have organised our visit here and for the hospitality we have been shown.
On that note, I will close. I began speaking in all the New Zealand realm languages. May I close by speaking in Maori issuing greetings and wishing you good health and fortitude in your endeavours.
No reira, tena koutou, tena koutou, kia ora, kia kaha, tena koutou katoa.