Commonwealth Writers Prize

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 evening [sign].

May I specifically greet you: Dr Mark Collins, Director of the Commonwealth Foundation; Justice Nicholas Hasluck, head judge and Commonwealth Foundation Chair of the Judges' Panel; Lloyd Jones, past winner of the Commonwealth Writers' Prize and your household name book Mr Pip; 2009 Regional winners of the Commonwealth Writers' Prize; Jill Rawnsley, Director of the Auckland Writers and Readers Festival; Distinguished Guests otherwise; Ladies and Gentlemen.

My wife Susan and I are delighted to be with you tonight for the Commonwealth Writers' Prize Awards Ceremony.

It is a great honour for our country New Zealand to host the 23rd annual awards ceremony for the Commonwealth Writers' Prize.

These awards have become a significant event in the world literary calendar.

They have also developed into one of the major ways of enhancing the cultural ties between the countries of the Commonwealth.

The Commonwealth this year marks its 60th birthday and it was with pleasure that late last month I was invited to attend and enjoyed a reception at Buckingham Palace hosted by the Queen to mark the occasion.

The gathering marked 60 years since what was termed the London Declaration, a final communiqué from a meeting of the British Prime Minister and representatives of the seven Dominions of the then British Empire. 

The Declaration paved the way for India to become a Republic the following year but remain in the Commonwealth.  In doing so the Declaration began the process of transforming an imperial gathering into a modern international organisation.

The Declaration was, however, about more than just constitutional matters.  Innovative and bold in its reach, it repeatedly emphasised that the freedom and equality of its members was not just in their relationship to the Head of the Commonwealth, but also in what was described as their co-operative "pursuit of peace, liberty and progress".

In keeping with those goals, the Commonwealth Foundation has as its mission the strengthening of civil society by promoting democracy, sustainable development and intercultural understanding throughout the Commonwealth.

And at the root of this endeavour is a belief that the expression of one's culture, in its many and varied forms, is a basic human right.

The Foundation, through these awards, not only helps to develop the literature of each Commonwealth country, but provides a means of cultural flow between Commonwealth countries.

I would particularly like to welcome to New Zealand the eight finalists for the Best Book and the Best First Book from each of the four global regions: Africa; Canada and the Caribbean; Europe and South Asia; and South East Asia and the Pacific.
 
I understand that for the past week these writers have spoken to a large number of people in various parts of New Zealand, visiting libraries, bookshops, schools, correctional facilities and talking to book groups.  I hope you have also taken some opportunity to explore a little of our beautiful country while you are here.

Speaking of book groups, I am a keen member of one myself and my wife Susan likewise.  As readers, we are always most interested to see and to hear the views of the writers who have given us so much enjoyment, insight, and understanding through our reading. 

I am sure that writers may be much more interested in working on their next book than in talking about their previous one.

But in giving so generously of their time and their talents during their visit to our country, the writers here tonight are living embodiments of the spirit of the Commonwealth in the 21st century.

Through their books they make a contribution to the culture of their own countries, and through their visit here, they are making a contribution to ours.

It is through this sort of cultural interchange that we can explore the fundamental similarities between us, not only as members of the Commonwealth but as international citizens and, most fundamentally, as human beings.

In considering the power of the written word, George Gordon Lord Byron once wrote:  "A small drop of ink, falling like dew upon a thought, produces that which makes thousands, perhaps millions, think."

I think the former winners of the Commonwealth Writers' Prize-and they include such great names as Salman Rushdie, Ian McEwan, Margaret Atwood, JM Coetzee, Zadie Smith, Louis de Bernieres, and our own Lloyd Jones-have done more than that.

Yes, they have helped people to think and to feel, but most importantly they have helped people to understand.

That is what these awards are all about-enhancing cultural understanding within and between Commonwealth countries.  In doing so, they have helped give real meaning to the London Declaration 60 years ago and striving for the "pursuit of peace, liberty and progress".

In thanking the writers for their generous contribution during their stay in New Zealand, I would like to quote an apposite Māori proverb: "Haere te torino whakamua, whakamuri."  Translated it means: "At the same time as the spiral is going out, it is coming back."

I hope that this is what is happening for the writers - that in unfurling the spiral in our direction, it is coming back to you in inspiration for your future work.

And on that note, I will close in New Zealand's first language Māori, offering everyone present 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.