Friends of Te Papa Reception

I begin proceedings 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)
I then specifically greet you: Ta Harawira, Sir Wira Gardiner, Chairman of the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa; Board Member, Sue Piper; Vice-President of the Friends of Te Papa, Gordon Shroff; Distinguished Guests otherwise; Ladies and Gentlemen. 

It is with great pleasure that Susan and I welcome you to Government House for this Friends of Te Papa reception.

Susan will shortly speak about some of the special features of Government House and of her association with the Friends.

For my curtain raising part, may I thank the Friends for their work in fundraising in order to gift works to the museum.  As successor to the Friends of the National Gallery, it has a proud history that stretches back many years.   The art which the Friends have acquired this year for the Museum, namely, three pastel works by New Zealand artist, the late Joanna Paul, are on display in the Ballroom this afternoon.  

I also want to thank the Friends for their on-going interest in the Conservation Project including the two well attended lectures about the project.  This reception today, in a sense, completes a circle in that having heard about the House and the Project you will now have the opportunity to see it up close in its restored glory.

Government House has a history stretching back a century and it resonates with a number of key stories of our nation’s history and its system of government.  It is also a fine place in which to display art and I thank Te Papa for allowing some of its collection to be displayed here alongside the Government House collection.

In this, the Conservation Project and House more generally dovetail neatly with the work of Te Papa.  The Museum is mandated by its Act to provide a forum in which New Zealand presents, explores and preserves its cultural and natural heritage and knowledge in order to, as it is said, “better understand and treasure the past; to enrich the present; and to meet the challenges of the future.”

I thank the Board and staff of the Museum for their work as a champion of New Zealand’s heritage.  Your mandate is a tall order for any organisation and I wish you well in this regard.

I hope that you will enjoy the special ambience of Government House and its art and treasures in your time here this afternoon.

And on that note of hospitality, I will close in our country’s first language offering everyone greetings and wishing everyone good health and fortitude in your endeavours.  No reira, tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou, kia ora, kia kaha, tēnā koutou katoa.