Leadership New Zealand Graduation Ceremony

May I begin by greeting everyone in the languages of the realm of New Zealand - in English, Maori, Cook Island Maori, Niuean, Tokelauan and New Zealand Sign Language.

Greetings, Kia Ora, Kia Orana, Fakalofa Lahi Atu, Taloha Ni and as it has become evening (Sign)

May I specifically greet you: Jo Brosnahan, Chairperson of Leadership New Zealand and your fellow trustees; Lesley Slade, Chief Executive of Leadership New Zealand; Michael Barnett, Chief Executive of the Auckland Chamber of Commerce, (and thank you for your words of introduction); Your Worship, Bob Harvey, Mayor of Waitakere; Leadership Programme graduates and your family, friends and whanau; Distinguished Guests otherwise; Ladies and Gentlemen.

Thank you for inviting my wife Susan and myself to attend this ceremony for graduates of the Leadership New Zealand leadership programme.  This is the second time we have been in this space and it is a pleasure to be with Leadership New Zealand again.

I have been asked to present the certificates to the 28 graduates of this year's programme, and will do so in an orthodox fashion in a few moments, but just before I do I would like to comment on the role that leaders will play in shaping the future of New Zealand.

My career to date as a lawyer, judge, ombudsman, and now as Governor-General, has on many occasions brought me into connection with leadership.  And with each change in my professional life the definition I have of leadership and leadership qualities has expanded.

Very deliberately, I say "leadership qualities" rather than being a "leader", because the two are not the same.  There are many people who through their life have never been leaders per se but who have shown strong leadership qualities.  History is sadly also replete with leaders whose leadership qualities have often been lacking.

Leadership is a difficult concept to define. People define leadership quite differently—some by vision, some by charisma, and some by actions, some by the ability to inspire others.  My own experience of leadership tells me that there are two words that leaders resonate—trust and respect.

Key leadership qualities include an ability to listen, being professional in dealing with others, displaying integrity, honesty and respect.  Leaders need to keep their feet on the ground and to recognise that it is their purpose is to serve. 

There is an old saying that "actions speak louder than words."  What you do in life says as much about who you are, and your commitment to those values, as what you may say.  Your deeds can be a positive example to others that promote positive change.  History is also littered with examples of leaders who have said one thing in public and operated quite differently in private.  When the two worlds collide—as they invariably do—the result is usually an embarrassing fall from grace.

Leadership can take many forms.  Throughout the year, there are investiture ceremonies at the Government Houses in Wellington or Auckland where awards are conferred to recognise those who have achieved in commerce, community and public service.  Some of those achievements may be at a local level and others at the national or international level. 

But all of these people have shown leadership.  Many are people who have quietly gone about their lives, working in their communities, helping others in their own way, usually without much fanfare or recognition.  Just because they have not sought the spotlight does not mean their contribution is any less worthy.

You will have noticed that I said "communities" plural rather than "community" singular,  because New Zealand is becoming an increasingly diverse nation.  The last Census revealed that 23 percent of New Zealanders were born overseas.  A century ago, almost all of those people would have hailed from Britain or Ireland.  Today, about 28 percent come from those places—the same proportion as those from Asia.

And it is not just in ethnicity that this country is becoming more diverse.  In religion, family relationships and work patterns, the New Zealand of 2007 is radically different from that of 1907. 

The last Census showed that while just over half of New Zealanders said they were Christians—a small drop on five years earlier—almost a third professed no faith at all.  While the four major groupings—Anglican, Presbyterian, Catholic, and Methodist—remained dominant, there were large increases in those affiliated to other Christian denominations, including Orthodox Christina, Evangelical and Pentecostal.

Against these changes, and reflecting immigration from Asia, there were also major increases in those holding non-Christian religions.  While starting from much smaller bases, the number of Sikhs, Hindus or Muslims all increased by more than 50 percent.

I believe that this diversity has the potential to enrich New Zealand's culture, society and economy.  But I also recognise that it poses challenges, and none more so than for those who aspire to be leaders.  The key challenge for our future leaders will be assisting New Zealand to sensibly debate how the values of those new to our country can be accommodated alongside the democratic and secular values that we cherish.  I believe that graduates of the Leadership New Zealand leadership programme will have much to offer this debate, and I urge you to make your voices heard. 

Another quality of leadership is courage.  As Patron of the Royal New Zealand Returned & Services Association, I had the great privilege of bestowing its highest honour, the Badge in Gold, on Corporal Willie Apiata, who I had invested with the first Victoria Cross for New Zealand in July.  I also unveiled a symbolic Badge in Gold to recognise 21 other New Zealanders who had won the Victoria Cross.  Despite being humble people, they had received these high honours for their outstanding gallantry, courage and leadership.  They are an inspiration to us all because they show that everyone can show leadership qualities.

Courage need not however be a quality confined to the battlefield.  In a recent book, the new British Prime Minister, Gordon Brown, has written eight essays about people displaying courage—people such as Martin Luther King Jnr and Nelson Mandela, saying that courage is the greatest of all virtues. He wrote:

"All of us value duty, honesty, kindness, humility, responsibility, integrity but none of these can exist without courage." As Winston Churchill said: 'Courage is the first of human qualities because it is the quality which guarantees all others.'"

Having the courage of one's convictions includes holding fast to values—such as honesty, justice and ethical conduct—and if necessary in the face of others who would give expediency a higher priority.

To all the graduates of the Leadership Programme I congratulate you.  I know that behind everyone of you are family and friends who have supported you in completing this programme and I acknowledge those people also.

And now the real challenge begins.  This is to take the knowledge and experience you have gained back with you and to put it into practice. 

As I mentioned earlier, leadership is about service.  I cannot think of better comment than one by a wonderful New Zealander, the late Dame Whina Cooper, whose words on mana and the responsibilities of leadership capture this sentiment well.  As quoted in the late Michael King's biography Whina, she said:

I can't sleep at night, because even at night I'm worrying about things and planning things.  It's the mana, you see.  If you've got it, it never lets you alone.  You have to be thinking about the people and working for them, all the time.

On that note I will close - and in Maori by issuing greetings and wishing everyone, but particularly the graduands, good health and fortitude in your endeavours.

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