Speech
Coastal Taranaki School Visit
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 morning (Sign)
May I specifically greet you: Allan Miles, Principal of Coastal Taranaki School and your fellow staff; Chairperson of the Board of Trustees; students, family and friends; Distinguished Guests otherwise; Ladies and Gentlemen.
It is with great pleasure that my wife Susan and I have the opportunity to visit your Coastal Taranaki School today. 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.
Before I do, I should mention that I have with me a class set of a new booklet that Government House has published called New Zealand’s Governor-General: Constitution, Ceremony and Community. It outlines the changing role of New Zealand’s Governor-General as well as providing more detail on the job I do.
As well, the Government House website, which has a really easy URL to remember: www.gg.govt.nz has new level 4 and level 5 educational resources that your teachers might like to investigate.
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. My grand parents from India migrated to Fiji and my parents were born in Fiji and moved to New Zealand and I was born in Auckland.
After going to school, 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, Governor Generals usually were British-born. However 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 was 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.
These changes show how our country is becoming increasingly diverse, with people of many different cultures, religions and ethnicities living here.
When travelling through New Zealand, I am often asked to explain my role. To do so, 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.
New Zealand is also a democracy. That means that the people of New Zealand elect their Members of Parliament. The Prime Minister heads the Government because he or she is the MP able to lead Parliament, 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 there are other legal items. When the Government in Parliament passes laws, 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 Judges and Heads of Government Departments. All of these legal things are called the Governor-General’s constitutional role.
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 a new session 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 community leadership. This means visiting people and places throughout New Zealand attending celebrations and seeing things that people have done well. This last aspect, the community role, is the part of my job that keeps both my wife Susan and I busy. It is also that part of the job which keeps us in touch with so many New Zealanders.
And it is what has brought me to Taranaki and to your school. I see it as a key part of my role to emphasise those things that positively unite us as New Zealanders rather than those things that divide us.
Okato is a beautiful place, sitting beneath the mountain and beside the sea. The view of the Kaitake and Pouakai Ranges and Mt Taranaki is spectacular – when it isn’t covered in cloud that is! Travelling about fifteen kilmetres south on the Surf Highway 45, you will find Cape Egmont which is the most western part of the North Island.
I am told that Okato has a little known link with the famous Harrods store of London. William Digby Harrod, son of the original founder, escaped the dirt and fog of London to come to New Zealand in the 1860s. Later, he settled in Okato, where he lived to a good age and was buried in the Okato cemetery . It is truly a wonderful place to live!
Education is such an important part of life. Your teachers are not only giving you the skills to read, write and do long division, but how to understand the world around you. Your school motto is “Ma te whanau, te tamaiti e puawai – By the whole community, the child will blossom” .
Being part of such a special community, where parents and members of the wider Okato community support your school through in-class help, assistance with sports teams and resource provision is invaluable.
In particular, if I could stress one thing to you, it would be to read, read and read. Never stop reading. If sport and exercise keep the body fit, it is reading that keeps your brain fit and healthy.
How many here have heard of the book Charlie and the Chocolate Factory which has also been made, twice, into a movie? This story was written by a very well known British novelist, Ronald Dahl. Within the story, Willa Wonka sends a letter to Mike Teevee’s parents and part of this reads:
“So please, oh PLEASE, we beg, we pray
Go throw your TV set away
And in its place you can install
A lovely bookshelf on the wall.”
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.