Malaghan Institute Supporters Cocktail Evening

Ladies and Gentlemen, I greet you in the languages of the realm of New Zealand - 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 is the evening and the sun has gone down (Sign)

May I specifically greet you: Graham Malaghan, Chairman of the Malaghan Institute of Medical Research Board; Bryan Johnson, Deputy Chairman; Professor Graham Le Gros, Malaghan Institute Director; Distinguished Guests; Ladies and Gentlemen.

It is with pleasure that my wife Susan and I host this cocktail evening for supporters of the Malaghan Institute of Medical Research.

Since it was founded in 1979, the Institute has established itself as a leading New Zealand independent biomedical research facility.

Its scientists are involved in substantive research to unravel the nature, origin and causes for ailments that afflict many New Zealanders—cancer, asthma, arthritis, multiple sclerosis and infectious diseases.

The significance of the Institute's work can be highlighted by some sobering statistics.  For example, about a third of New Zealanders will die of cancer and one in five will suffer from asthma. It is also estimated that one person is infected with tuberculosis in this country each day and that one in a thousand Kiwis live with MS.

The Malaghan is recognised widely for its leading-edge scientific research discoveries and development of novel therapies, and in particular its work to harness the powers of the human immune system to defend against a host of diseases.  When we commonly read in the media of "superbugs" resistant to even the most toxic of antibiotics, the wisdom of this approach seems readily apparent.

When the Malaghan Institute last held a function at Government House in 2003, I am told of a significant announcement.  It was that within a year, the Institute would move from its cramped rented facilities on the Wellington Hospital property, to custom-built facilities at Victoria University of Wellington's Kelburn Campus.  The decision was a commitment to Wellington and to science in the capital.

Four years on from that announcement, the Institute is now firmly ensconced at Victoria University.  Not only has the Institute continued its high standard of biomedical research, but it has also established a host of teaching and research programmes with colleagues at Victoria. 

One such collaborative research project—which sounds like the stuff of science fiction too an observer—involves using silicon nanoparticles to detect and possibly treat cancerous tumours. These particles are so small that they are made up of as little as a 1000 atoms.

All this valuable work does not come cheaply.  Biomedical research, involving sophisticated equipment, is often highly expensive.

To that end, as an independent organisation, the Malaghan is constantly seeking funding to back its innovative research.  While the Institute has been successful in garnering significant research grants from public and private research funding agencies, both here and overseas, it also looks to general fundraising.

In that regard, as a registered charity, Malaghan has been blessed with a willing band of volunteers, supporters and sponsors who give their time, effort, money and resources to assist with a series of successful fundraising events, that culminate with an annual Lollipop Appeal.

I want to take an opportunity to thank all the volunteers and supporters for their efforts.  It is the work of volunteers, whose hard work goes on, often unseen, behind the scenes, that is a vital part of the organisation and part of our national character.  It was Sir Winston Churchill who said -in another context - but equally relevant to New Zealand:-  "You make a living by what you get, but you make a life by what you give".

Once the formalities are completed, I invite you to view the public rooms, see the works of art curated afresh in the last 12 months and to enjoy the hospitality.

I began speaking in all the New Zealand realm languages.  May I close by speaking in Maori issuing greetings and wishing you good health and fortitude in your endeavours.

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