Communications Dinner

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 evening (Sign)

It is with pleasure that my wife Susan and I welcome you to Government House in Auckland for this communications and media dinner.   Having held a dinner for senior members of the press gallery in Wellington last year, we thought it appropriate that we should also take the opportunity have a similar dinner with counterparts in the Auckland media, so thank you for accepting the invitation. 

It seems natural to use a Polynesian theme in framing what I might say briefly before we eat.  As will be known, the orator on the paepae starts with a recitation of whakapapa which is partly to connect with those present.  There is then some whaikorero and lastly a wero or challenge.  So here goes.

With the media my present connection (and Susan's too) is a formal one. We function in a public space and there are many events we are part of that call for treatment in the media.  Generally what is done is not focused on myself or us but on the event or the people with whom the event is occurring.

Immediately before now for me, were 10 years as an Ombudsman in which life I had many dealings at close quarters with a great many journalists seeking information under the Official Information Act or its local government counterpart and arguing their cases about that.

As a Judge, there were times of knowing a number of people in the media but at a distance.  A distance far removed from the 10 years or so as a legal practitioner in Auckland where as a court lawyer whose law firm acted for South Pacific Television and a number of radio stations like Radio Hauraki I had many dealings indeed with journalists and editors.

As a New Zealander I remain a firm admirer of the role of the media, whose freedom and whose ability to enlighten and improve, remains constant.

Whakapapa finished, I have two aspects of relevant whaikorero  to traverse - Auckland and the Governor-General role and the media and the Governor-General role.

It will soon be 150 years since the capital of New Zealand was moved from Auckland to Wellington. New Zealand's Governors-General have, however, always kept up a link with Auckland which is symbolised in this Government House, generously donated to the Crown by a family named Mappin in the early 1960s.

There are three pervading duties incument on every Governor-General: constitutional,  ceremonial and community. While on a different scale from the Wellington Government House, the Auckland house plays an continuing role in all these tasks.

On the constitutional front the Royal Assent to pieces of legislation has often been applied here.  Likewise proclamations and orders and papers to do with appointment and dismissal of people can be effected when here - now with the assistance of fax and email.

On the ceremonial front, in the last year, formal state welcome ceremonies have occurred here for the Presidents of Korea and Kiribati.  Those ceremonies have a Māori element as well as the inspection of a guard from the New Zealand Defence Force.  There have also a number of ceremonies to accept credentials of new foreign ambassadors and high commissioners to New Zealand.

There have been large receptions involving many hundreds on Waitangi Day and where the Waitangi Day address is given.  Those receptions have been attended by diplomats, parliamentarians, the Defence Force, local government and the wider community.  

We have facilitated the hosting of important foreign visitors, such as the then American Secretary of State, Dr Condoleezza Rice and the Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd.  All these events have been attended by members of the media based in Auckland.

These roles and links we have with Auckland have been strengthened by the major renovation undertaken here four years ago. That project, saw a pavilion added and significant upgrade to the kitchen and service facilities, and has allowed a far wider range of community events to be held here. 

Twice a year, investiture ceremonies are held here to recognise those identified in the New Year and Queen's Birthday honours. Nearly half of those now choose to have that occasion here in Auckland. Young people who have completed the credits for the Young New Zealanders Challenge or Scouts, Girl Guides or St John receive their medals or certificates here. We have also had the practice before travelling to overseas countries had  receptions for the relevant communities and here have been Niuean, Indian and Samoan occasions of that kind. This is just a taste of the uses that the Auckland House is regularly put to. It is a vital part of a 2009 New Zealand "Government House Inc."

The closure of the Government House in Wellington late last year for a major conservation project has heightened all of this.   As you may have seen in the news this week, that project is now well underway and the 98 year old historic house is being made fit for purpose for the 21st century.  It is getting what can be described as at least the equivalent of  a triple bypass and a double hip replacement. 

But the closure of that Government House has inevitably resulted in a change of programme and we've been on the road even more than usual. Investitures in Christchurch and Dunedin are happening this year along with an increasing number of events around the country - as well as here in Auckland.

And that is the way I believe it should be.  As Governor-General I have never seen the role as being the Queen's representative for just one part of New Zealand.  While some vital constitutional duties, such as attending Executive Council during Cabinet each Monday every week and opening Parliament, which have to occur in Wellington, almost everything else can, and does, occur in other places.

It seems only right that a significant proportion of our time should in New Zealand's largest city and in the only area that, by international standards, could be regarded as a "metropolis."    As well as being Superman's fictional home, the word "metropolis" is defined by one dictionary as "a large and densely populated urban area; may include several independent administrative districts"  and by another as "the principal city of a country or region."    Auckland may not be New Zealand's capital, but it easily meets all these criteria.

Auckland is also facing a period of significant change as the Government looks to change its governance structure following my receipt of the report of the Royal Commission on Auckland Governance in March.  I won't offer an opinion on the ongoing debate, first because it simply is not my role as Governor-General to do so, and secondly, because we could be here a very long time before the kai arrived if I did!

But I jest. In the Auckland governance debate, as with other issues the media continues to fulfil an important role in informing the public and allowing a host of different opinions to be heard. 

I am conscious that your industry whether electronic or print is facing times of significant change.  With newspaper websites carrying video, and television and radio websites carrying news stories, the once hard and fast demarcation lines between the different types of media are rapidly blurring.  And just about every outlet's website carries one or more blogs.  The spectre of  campaigning journalism seems to have gained a lease of life in contemprary events.

The changes that were already being wrought by the influence of internet and the growth of the public relations industry have increasingly been magnified many times over by the impact of the worldwide economic downturn.  If news is history in a hurry, it seems the pace has quickened significantly in recent times.

While the future shape of the media remains unclear, I am convinced that whatever form it takes, it will continue to play a vital role in our democracy.    The media not only help ensure the accountability of those in public life but also act as an important safety valve. That is a note on which to come naturally to my wero or challenge. 

It is your job to keep people in our community including Susan and I informed and advised with material that is accountable and can be trusted. But with the power in your hands comes the responsibility to ensure that truth, accuracy, fairness and balance are never secondary to either commercial imperatives or the burning desire for a good story.  My predecessor Charles John Lyttelton, Lord Cobham spoke to a media gathering about 50 years ago of how much the public relied on accurate and responsible journalism.

Lord Cobham finished his speech by issuing a challenge, which, respectfully, I take up this evening: "May you always have the courage and far-sightedness fearlessly to proclaim what you honestly believe to be the truth, and not merely what your readers would like to read."

On what I hope is a note of encouragement, I will close in our country's first language, 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.