Lake Karapiro: Official Opening of the Don Rowlands Centre

I begin 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 morning (Sign).

I then specifically greet you: Your Worship Alan Livingston, Mayor of Waipa, and your fellow councillors; Joan Withers, Chair of Mighty River Power and Chief Executive Doug Heffernan; Simon Perry, Chair of the Perry Group; Simon Peterson, Chief Executive of Rowing New Zealand; Louise Upston, member of Parliament; kaumatua, kuia and representatives from local marae; Distinguished Guests otherwise; Ladies and Gentlemen.

Thank you for inviting my wife Susan and me to the official opening of the Sports and Community Centre at Lake Karapiro Domain.

The last time Susan and I were here at the Lake Karapiro was for the official opening of the Rowing New Zealand High Performance Centre in April last year. And before that, in June 2008, we had had the pleasure of visiting here as a part of a visit to the Waikato region. It is great to be back at this end of the project and to be part of this special day.

I have been asked to officially open this new Sports and Community Events Centre by jointly unveiling a plaque later in the ceremony, and of course will do so in an orthodox fashion shortly, but just before that, I do want to say something more about the importance of why we are all here today.

New Zealanders are known for their love of sport. On any given weekend, it would be hard to find a New Zealander who is not taking part in, or observing, some kind of sport.

Whether that be watching and supporting, during these last two or three days, the All Whites in their quest for success in the 2010 FIFA World Cup, or in supporting a family member at a weekend social sport game – New Zealanders love their sport fiercely. 

We live in a country that caters for almost every sport imaginable and are blessed with beautiful scenery accompanying our endeavours outdoors.

One such spectacular example is here at Lake Karapiro, which has been selected to host the 2010 World Rowing Championships in a few months’ time.

The New Zealand Herald reported in 2006 that a inspection panel from the International Rowing Federation had visited Lake Karapiro and said that is was: “one of the fairest courses in the world they had seen and that the lake was one of the most picturesque….”

The lake has also played host to the 1978 World Rowing Championships and, three years after the its creation, the 1950 British Empire Games, which are now known as the Commonwealth Games.

I understand that the Karapiro Domain covers a 19 hectare area and provides a variety of sporting and recreational activities including rowing, waka ama, water skiing, kayaking, canoeing, sailing and triathlons. All of which adds up to a great snapshot of New Zealand’s sporting culture.

The lake came to prominence just three years after its creation behind the hydro-electric dam, with the hosting of the rowing for the 1950 British Empire Games, now known as the Commonwealth Games. New Zealand crews took out a gold medal in the coxed fours event, and three silver medals in the eight, coxed pair and double sculls events. From that time on it become a focal point for rowing, with the hosting of New Zealand Rowing Championships, and the secondary schools Maadi Cup.  The hosting of the 1978 World Rowing Championships added impetus to the lake’s reputation as a centre for water-sports. The facilities built at the lake for those championships very much led to the development of other water sports at the venue.

The Domain has a growing reputation for being a world-class events centre and I am told this building was fast-tracked to ensure its completion for the 2010 World Rowing Championships, when it will house international officials, team management and media representatives.

The building is which we stand is an impressive community venue that will provide long-term benefits to the wider community who enjoy sporting and recreational activities, and which will be available long after the World Rowing Champs have finished.

I understand that the building includes a large multi-purpose space, full kitchen facilities, meeting and functions rooms and storage areas. On that note, I look forward to touring the building (with Susan) at the conclusion of the formalities this morning.

I am also pleased to learn,  that in recognition of the special relationship that iwi have with this Domain, that a cultural room has been set aside within the centre. For me thee special relationship was recently reinforced when I had the responsibility to provide Royal assent to the Waikato-Tainui Raupatu Claims (Waikato River) Settlement Act at Government House Vogel early last month.

The legislation acknowledges a future vision and strategy for the River and it says at the outset: “The overarching purpose of the settlement is to restore and protect the health and wellbeing of the Waikato River for future generations.”  The fact that that this ceremony is joined by Te Arikinui Kingi Tuheitia is a further reflection of a new vision for the Waikato River.

This Sports and Community Centre, on the banks of Lake Karapiro, will be henceforth known as “The Don Rowland Centre”. Its completion is the result of a combined effort from many supporters and sponsors. I congratulate everyone for their contribution to this great place.

The naming of the Centre, however, reflects the significant contribution that Don Rowlands, as a person, has made to rowing, both in New Zealand and internationally, as a competitor and as a sports administrator.  It is particularly appropriate, moreover, in view of Don’s contribution to the lake as a venue for water-sports.  The fact that New Zealand was awarded the 1978 World Rowing Championships by FISA, (the International Rowing Federation), was no mean feat and can, I believe, be in a number of ways be credited to his skills. It can be said that Lake Karapiro has not looked back since, and the fact that Rowing New Zealand has again been awarded a World Championships, can be attributed in significant measure to the on going Rowlands influence.

And on a note, therefore, that I deliberately strike, of anticipation, I will close in New Zealand’s first language Māori, by offering everyone greetings and wishing you all good health and fortitude in your endeavours.   

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

It is with pleasure that I announce the Don Rowlands Centre officially open.