Guides New Zealand 'In the Lead' Event

Kia Ora, Kia Orana, Fakalofa Lahi Atu, Taloha Ni

Greetings to Jenny Burrow, National President of Guides New Zealand;  to Board Members;  to Rhonda Grey, Lower North Zone Manager;  to Francis Carmody, Learning and Development Team Leader for Pencarrow Region;  to Anne Buck; Guides New Zealand Diploma'd Trainer and Workshop Co-ordinator;  to Fiona Harnet, National Membership Advisor and  to Guides Leaders:  My greetings to you all.

Thank you for inviting me to address the Guides New Zealand  'In the Lead'  leadership training workshop.

I am pleased to do so as Patron of Guides New Zealand and as a mother of two daughters who are now young adults.  I have seen the challenges and opportunities for young women in New Zealand.

Young women are able to seize many opportunities in our country.  Role models - such as you are - can help girls to embrace every opportunity that comes their way.  As Guide Leaders you are in a unique position to help give young women opportunities to become compassionate, resilient and resourceful adults.  With values like good citizenship, care of our environment, encouragement to contribute to peace at all levels and good citizenship, Guiding is a positive influence.

Women increasingly hold positions of leadership within New Zealand.  We now see many more women who are leaders in business and politics, in their communities and in their families.

Guides New Zealand gives emphasis on doing one's best and having individual responsibility.  The movement promotes social equality in all you do and is modern and multicultural.  This values every participant and also means that young women of merit are recognised.

In the year since my husband, Anand, was appointed as Governor-General, I have been privileged to meet many New Zealand women who are achieving extraordinary success in their field.

You will take from this weekend and from Guiding skills and knowledge that will be of use to you.  It's built on the experience care that so many senior Guiding Leaders have put in over the years.  This gift of care is clearly stated in the Guides New Zealand's statement of purpose:

"We enable girls and young women to reach their full potential and make a difference in the world."

We want our young women to enter their adult lives with an optimism born of ability, and a well-rounded, compassionate outlook on life.  To me there is no better organisation to help with this than Guides.

Guiding not only imparts in young women a strong sense of self-belief, confidence and respect for others, it also nurtures friendships and networks - including international links - that can last a lifetime.

Former Guides tend to stay connected with the organisation many years after they leave. The loyalty Guiding engenders in former Guides is one aspect of Guiding that has impressed me.

One hundred years since the Movement took its original form in New Zealand, Guiding continues to hold a special place in the lives of our girls. It has flourished by staying true to the principles on which the movement was founded, yet it remains relevant by evolving to meet the changing needs of each generation.

And it continues to help turn young girls into wonderful New Zealand women.

The question must be posed:  where to from here, both for you as leaders and for Guides in general?

My wero or challenge to you each today is to keep up your commitment to Guiding. Keep up the growth that Guiding offers you and return to the young the benefits that you have received. As you go back to your home and guide group, I encourage you to use what you have learned this weekend to support and motivate you in interacting with your young charges. You have benefited from a gift of your experiences with older Guiding Leaders. Do pass it on. Your mature contribution is needed.

Our Queen, Queen Elizabeth II, said in her last Christmas message:

'..the older generation are able to give a sense of context as well as the wisdom of experience which can be invaluable. Such advice and comfort are probably needed more often than younger people admit or older people recognise. I hope that this is something that all of us, young or old, can reflect on..'

No reira, tena koutou, tena koutou, kia ora, kia kaha, tena koutou katoa.