Speech
King's College Chapel Close
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E nga mana, e nga reo, rau rangatahi ma, e huihui nei, tēnā koutou katoa. Distinguished hosts and students, greetings.
I specifically acknowledge: Rt Hon John Key, Prime Minister – tēnā koe; Peter Ferguson, Chairman of the King's College Board of Governors - tēnā koe; Bradley Fenner, Headmaster, and your wife Barbara - tēnā korua; The Rt Rev Ross Bay, Bishop of Auckland - tēnā koe; and King's College Chaplain, Rev Warner Wilder- tēnā koe.
It is a great pleasure for me to be here at King’s College today to continue the long standing tradition of Governors-General opening new facilities at this excellent school.
In 1898, two years after King’s was founded, Governor the Lord Ranfurly became King’s first vice-regal visitor. As was custom at the time when a Governor visited schools, Ranfurly asked that the Headmaster give the school a holiday. Well, unfortunately for you students, I’ve got some bad news on that front—it is a tradition that has been discontinued! Having just come back from your Summer holiday I’m sure you would all prefer to be at school and keen to get stuck into your study! Did I hear someone say: “yeah right”?
In 1955 the library block was opened by Governor-General the Lord Norrie. Then, in 1971, the first New Zealand-born Governor-General, Sir Arthur Porritt, visited in your 75th Jubilee Year and he opened the Great Hall. And as recently as 2009, my immediate predecessor, Sir Anand Satyanand, opened your Design and Technology Centre.
With those links now set before us, I want to again say how neat it is to be here and to, in a short time, officially open the Chapel Close.
The King’s College vision, to provide ‘the best all-round education it is possible to obtain’, seems to me to be well served by the “Mind, Body and Soul Capital Campaign” that the Chapel Close forms a part of. However, a capital programme and the commitment to a truly rounded education requires more than merely adding more bricks-and-mortar.
To the students present: your academic studies and the knowledge you gain during your time here at King’s will be essential tools for your future careers and life. What is equally, if not more important though, is the development of your character. Nelson Mandela observed that, “A good head and a good heart are always a formidable combination.”
The Christian ethos of King’s College is at the heart of this School, and the Chapel Close complex brings relevance to that and new opportunities for the school. This magnificent Chapel Close represents the importance that is placed on developing the special character of the people of Kings, and its value is demonstrated by the ever expanding role of the Chaplaincy, led by the Rev Warner Wilder.
The growth of the many spiritual programmes available to students here bears testimony to this school’s strong and enduring commitment to a Christian ethos. This spiritual and moral compass to guide students through their school life, and on into the years ahead does reflect the heart of this School.
Today we gather to celebrate the completion of the Chapel Close – a project that is one of the most significant undertaken at King’s. It is an important milestone.
The Voyager Programme, now has its own specially designed room in Chapel Close. The Outreach Programme, focused on community service and faith in action, are superb examples of the opportunities students have to develop a ‘good heart’, and a resilient and true character. The Chapel of God’s Stillness, the Choir Vestry, the Chapel Lawn and the Memorial Courtyard are unique and valuable additions to the School’s facilities.
In conclusion, I congratulate all of those who have contributed to conceiving, designing, building and funding this outstanding new facility. I am certain that it will serve the students and staff of King’s well and add strength to the soul of this School. Kia ora huihui tātou katoa.