Mediterranean Garden opening

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 Dave Cull, Mayor of Dunedin and Bill Acklin, Chair of the Dunedin City Council’s community development committee; Mike Reece, Community and Recreation Services Manager; Alan Matchett, Curator of the Botanic Garden; Frank Buddingh, President of the Friends of the Dunedin Botanic Gardens; Hon Pete Hodgson, MP for Dunedin North; distinguished guests, otherwise, notably former Peter Chin, former Mayor; ladies and gentlemen.

Thank you for inviting my wife Susan and I to be here for the official opening of the Mediterranean Garden at the Dunedin Botanic Gardens.

I have been asked to unveil a plaque and to start the fountain to officially open this new addition to the Botanic Gardens, and just before I do, I would like to speak of the importance of gardens such as these.

At the outset, I would like to say how pleasant it is to be back in Dunedin and on such a peerless day.  We have visited this city many times since taking on the Governor-General role in August 2006, the last being for the Duke of Edinburgh’s Hillary Awards at St Hilda’s Collegiate in August.

I have a longer connection with Dunedin, having attended for a year the University of Otago with the aim of studying towards a degree in medicine.   It was during that time that I first became acquainted with these gardens, walking up from the University to Aquinas College in Gladstone Rd, which is still rightly known as “coronary hill” to this day!

We have also visited these gardens in the Governor-General role, for a special occasion in 2006 marking the 10th anniversary of the Information Centre, the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the Friends and the launch of the Botanic Garden development plan.

Susan and I have had occasion to visit many public gardens, most recently being the extension to the Potter Children’s Garden at the Auckland Regional Botanic Gardens at Manurewa in November and the opening of the Eden Garden Society visitor’s centre in September.

This garden has a proud history and as New Zealand’s oldest botanic garden will celebrate its 150th anniversary in June 2013.  Earlier this year, it was registered by the New Zealand Garden Trust as a “Garden of International Significance”, the only publicly owned garden to achieve that status.  As well it will be the host garden for the 2013 fifth Global Botanic Garden Congress, which is a major coup for the city.

Gardens such as these are important for a number of reasons.  First, for leading botanical and conservation attention that provides a living resource for school and university students undertaking projects and research.

I understand the Gardens to have an active educational programme that is organised in association with Dunedin schools that allows young people to learn about plants, birds, orienteering and Māori use of native plants.   This work is to be commended.

The opening of this Mediterrenean Garden will add to the diversity already here, with a Southern African Garden, a Native Wetland Garden and many others.  We have returned this morning from a week long visit to New Zealand’s sub-Antarctic islands, Campbell Island and the Auckland Islands, which are noted for their unique and yet fragile plants.  I understand there is a possibility of a sub-Antarctic garden house being added to this garden.

Botanic gardens are also important places for recreation, whether that be strolling along the paths and admiring the plant life, having a picnic, or going for a more strenuous walk or more at lunchtime.  I was therefore not surprised to learn that the Botanic Gardens achieved the highest satisfaction score in the Council’s regular surveys of residents.

While these gardens are legally vested in the Council, they are very much community assets.  I have learned that the work of the Council’s paid staff is significantly supplemented by volunteers who assist in the information centre and as guides.  

That community support also extends to significant philanthropy.  This Mediterranean Garden has been made possible with donations from Richard and Barbara Calvert, a bequest from long-time garden supporter Nancye Sime,  as well as a grant from the Otago Community Trust. This is in addition to support of the Council and fundraising by the Friends.  I therefore want to take this opportunity to acknowledge with thanks everyone involved in bringing this project to fruition.

In conclusion, the Dunedin Botanic Garden stands as a testament to the inspiration and hard work of many generations.  It can rightly be described as one of New Zealand’s treasures in which this community can be justly proud.

I suspect gardeners have long realised what New Zealand writer Katherine Mansfield meant when she said: "Grow things. Plant. Dig up. Garden. I feel with all the force of my being that 'happiness' is in these things."

And so, on a note combining congratulations and anticipation of a bright future, it therefore gives me great pleasure to declare the Mediterranean Garden at the Dunedin Botanic Garden open.

And with the formalities almost complete, I will close in New Zealand’s first language, 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.