Diamond Jubilee Trust Reception

Rau rangatira mā, e huihui nei, tēnei aku mihi māhana ki a koutou.  Kia ora tātou katoa.  Distinguished guests, warm greetings to you all.

I specifically acknowledge: Sir Donald McKinnon, Chair of the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Trust in New Zealand and your fellow trustees Dame Rosie Horton, Clare de Lore, Lady McKinnon, Paul Brewer and Patrick Cleaver.

It is a great pleasure for Janine and me to host this reception to acknowledge all of those present for your efforts in supporting this Trust.  As Her Majesty’s representative in New Zealand, I am honoured to extend appreciation for the commitment and effort you have all made in ensuring New Zealanders have the opportunity to contribute to the Trust’s good work.

At the end of Her Majesty’s Diamond Jubilee year, it seems no better time to reflect on the legacy that this Trust, in its wider sense, creates and bestows in the name of our Queen.

When the 2011 Commonwealth Heads of Government established, The Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Trust, in Perth Australia to celebrate Her Majesty The Queen's 60 year reign, it was to mark her contribution to the Commonwealth and life of public service.  Citizens and governments across the Commonwealth and beyond secured the opportunity to create a lasting tribute to Her Majesty.

The six themes that guide the Trust’s investments seem to me to reinforce the Her Majesty’s legacy and the way in which she has served New Zealand and the 15 other nations where she is Head of State, as well as the wider Commonwealth.

When we think of our queen it is natural to associate those themes with the things she has represented throughout her life.  We can easily picture “Young Diamonds”, focused on youth sporting, “Disability to Capability”, enabling people with disabilities to be active members of their communities, “Care with Dignity”, supporting older people to live full and active lives, “Urban Food”, encouraging community self-sufficiency gardening, “Heritage and Culture”, emboldening people to share and engage with their heritage, and “Exceptional Leaders”, supporting projects associated with the 60 Exceptional Leaders selected by the Trust across the Commonwealth.

This unique embodiment of the values that Her Majesty has demonstrated throughout her life—determination, commitment, perseverance, compassion and above all, a sense of community that inspires service to others – is a magnificent tribute.

Sir Donald – your contribution as Chair of the Trust in New Zealand is outstanding.  With all fundraising and contributions to date – including from Government and two university scholarships – I am advised that the Jubilee Trust in NZ has raised in excess of $1.65 million.  That endowment will assist in the delivery of the Commonwealth Trust’s themes and projects superbly.

I also extend thanks to your fellow trustees, Dame Rosie Horton, Clare de Lore, Lady McKinnon, Paul Brewer and Patrick Cleaver.  November last year was a particularly busy time for the team, with the Royal Gala Dinner attended by Their Royal Highnesses, The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall.  Arranging a dinner party is fraught with challenges at any time.  One that had a distinctive international focus and exclusive guests made the organisation – special.  Congratulations, on what I hear was a sterling occasion, thoroughly enjoyed by all of those who attended and most particularly by Their Royal Highnesses. 

As Governor-General, Her Majesty’s representative in New Zealand and representative of all New Zealanders more generally, I am thrilled to be able to personally express gratitude to all of those present for your contributions individually and collectively to The Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Trust in New Zealand.  This small function also affords us the opportunity to reflect on Her Majesty, The Queen of New Zealand’s lifetime of service to our country, and the Commonwealth, and the legacy of six exciting themes at the end of her Diamond Jubilee year.  God Save The Queen!  

Kia ora huihui tātou katoa.