Speech
Farewell Reception for ELTO graduates
May I begin by greeting you 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 afternoon (Sign)
May I specifically greet you: Mr Peter Adams, Executive Director of the NZ Agency for International Development; Members of the Diplomatic Corps; Representatives of the providers: Victoria Link Ltd; Victoria University's English Language Institute and its Centre for Continuing Education & Executive Development; the Nelson-Marlborough Institute of Technology; Eastern Institute of Technology; Representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Trade, Asia New Zealand and Volunteer Service Abroad; ELTO graduates; Distinguished Guests otherwise, Ladies and Gentlemen. In the context to today's gathering I add: Chum reap sur, Sabaai-dii, Sain baina uu, Mingala ba and Cho mung.
It is with great pleasure that I welcome you to Government House in Wellington for this farewell reception of the latest intake of the English Language Training for Officials or, as it is better known, the ELTO Programme. I would like to take this opportunity to briefly talk about the programme and its significance.
This reception marks the graduation of the 28th intake into the ELTO programme, which is now completing its second phase of operations. Operating since the early 1990s, it is New Zealand's longest running and most recognised scholarship programme with its seven Asian partners. To date more than 750 officials from Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Timor L'este, Indonesia, Mongolia and Viet Nam have participated.
The programme's alumni are increasingly to be found in key roles in key agencies. For example, in September I had the pleasure of accepting at Government House in Auckland the credentials of the new Ambassador of Viet Nam to New Zealand, His Excellency Vuong Hai Nam, who is an ELTO graduate.
Ostensibly, the broad goal of the programme is to develop English language skills for officials of participating countries to enhance their ability to do their jobs effectively. This is particularly so when they are representing their countries' interests where written or spoken English is used, such as in international fora.
This a highly practical goal and in that it has been very successful. Issues surrounding cross-cultural communication continue to test people, communities and nations around the globe and so programmes such as this are to be welcomed.
But the value of the programme goes much deeper than that. The German playwright, novelist and poet Goethe once said that: "those who know nothing of foreign languages know nothing of their own."
By living in New Zealand, particularly when in a home stay situation, you will have gained not only improved English language skills, but a clearer understanding of how the language is used in a cultural context. In doing so, you have not only gained a better understanding of New Zealanders but we have also learnt much about your culture.
I'm sure many life long friendships have been formed, not only with New Zealanders, but with fellow participants from other countries and with people from your countries who have settled here.
I should warn you, however, and no doubt your tutors have made this clear, that one of the peculiarities of English is that because of its wide spread, identical words can have quite different meanings in different countries. In the United States or Australia, if your manager said to "flag" a particular task they would be telling you to give it a high priority. In New Zealand, if your manager said the same phrase, he or she would be indicating that it could be given a low priority or even abandoned. So as you can see cross-cultural communication is not only an issue for people for whom English is a second language, but also for those for whom it is their birth tongue!
In conclusion, I would like to congratulate NZAID, the providers and all the support groups and participants, for making this programme so successful. To the graduates I trust you have enjoyed your time in New Zealand and I wish you all the best for the future.
On that note, I will close in Maori by offering greetings and wishing you good health and fortitude in your endeavours. No reira, tena koutou, tena koutou, kia ora, kia kaha, tena koutou katoa
After the formalities are completed, I would like to invite you to wander around the public areas of Government House this afternoon. This building opened 98 years ago and has housed 19 Governors or Governors-General and houses many artefacts and art works that reflect New Zealand's history and culture. Thank you.