At the launch of The Governors

Greetings everyone Ladies and Gentlemen and in the languages of the realm of New Zealand. Kia Ora, Kia Orana, Fakalofa lahi atu.

May I specifically greet you, Lady Norma Beattie, Rt Hon Sir Michael Hardie Boys, Madame Speaker the Hon Margaret Wilson, Deputy Prime Minister Hon Dr Michael Cullen, Hon Judith Tizard, Associate Minister for Arts, Heritage and Culture, Martin Matthews, Chief Executive, Ministry for Culture and Heritage, Dr Gavin McLean, Wendy Harrex, Otago University Press, distinguished guests otherwise, ladies and gentlemen.

It is a great pleasure for my wife Susan and I to have you all here this evening to launch what is, for this office in particular, a most important book.  As a result of the surprise inclemency of weather, a number of scratchings have had to be registered including those of Sir Paul and Lady Reeves and Dame Catherine Tizard - and because of being overseas Dame Silvia Cartwright and Peter Cartwright.

I referred to "Distinguished guests otherwise" in my introduction and I think it is worth recording that the history of Government House and its past occupants are well represented if I make exceptional reference to the presence this evening of Miss Kitty Wood and Executive Officer of many years standing and of Brian Epsom who this week ends a 21 year career here after having seen settled in, the newest holders of office.  I wonder if I could solicit a round of applause to them and others of the staff who have supported Governors-General of the present and past.

As we have a number of speakers to follow, I will keep my comments brief.  This is day 62 since I taking up office, so in terms of the history of Governors and Governors-General, I am very much the tyro stepping into large footprints.  In the company this evening of esteemed predecessors, this becomes particularly evident. 

The whole trail of describing who has gone before has now been laid before us through the meticulous and good humoured work of one New Zealand's significant contemporary historians, Dr Gavin McLean, a man whose scholarship and interest in heritage made him an outstanding choice for this brief. 

I am advised that to staff at Government House, the sight of Dr McLean poring over old records, in the adjacent Executive Council Room, became a familiar one in recent years. 

Later, when these brief formalities are completed, may Susan and I invite you to view the House, to visit the Executive Council Room and also the far part of the hallway.  There, in the hallway, you will see a new 2006 showing of New Zealand pictures and the area beyond the gallery in painted and photographed fashion of all prior Governors and Governors-General of New Zealand.

There is now to hand the book to go with the pictures, and for that Dr McLean and all those who supported him in his work, are to be thanked.

Historical investigation, the writer George Santayana once observed, has for its aim to fix the order and character of events throughout past time and in all places.  The task is frankly superhuman. 

I am not sure whether that means, Dr McLean, that you are to add the word superhero to your curriculum vitae.  What I am sure of, though, is that the value of your work, much appreciated as it is now, will only increase in years to come.  I have had the advantage of a pre-read and can say that it has at least three virtues - one it will bear reading for its script, for its photographs, and reading back from the index - two it is of a satisfying weight - and three its striking cover will always make it easy to find in the book shelf.

I now invite the Chief Executive of the Ministry for Culture and Heritage, Martin Matthews, to speak.

Tena koutou katoa.