New Zealand Art Show

To:  Bill Day, Chair of the Wellington Hospital and Health Foundation; Gerry Morris, Chair, and  Carla Russell, Executive Director of the New Zealand Affordable Art Trust; Ian McKinnon, Deputy Mayor of Wellington;  artists,  and ladies and gentlemen, all supporters of this night’s event;  tēnā koutou and good evening.

I am delighted to be here with you for this New Zealand Affordable Art Trust fundraising event for the Wellington Hospitals and Health Foundation to benefit the Wellington Children’s Hospital.  As the wife of the Governor-General, I strive to promote the interests of our children and this year, this wonderful Art Show is again supporting the Children’s Hospital through the Trust and the Foundation.

May I acknowledge and applaud the work that the Wellington Hospitals and Health Foundation does.  Established in 2006, this busy and effective Foundation has received funds from many individuals and organisations.  It has used these funds, for instance, to buy 40 chair-beds for the use of parents, televisions, computers and computer games, toys, games, medical equipment, research grants and to give significant support to children with cancer and their families through its Hospital Care Programme.

The Wellington Children’s Hospital has asked that the funds raised tonight be used to purchase a hydraulic cot for very sick babies.  This will enhance the babies’ comfort and speed-up their recovery.  Both Anand and I would like to acknowledge the invaluable contribution of the staff and volunteers working together to ably provide warmth and care to sick children.

It is only since 2004 that this Art Show has been going.  Imagine the talented kiwis who have been working away on their artistic vision - of the joys and frustrations of people doing their best to develop their ideas and to communicate them in a way that engages and challenges us, the ‘interpreters’.  Here, we can easily buy art for a reasonable price.  The artists know that the art is appreciated and the buyer hopes for a fun investment.

I would like to congratulate the Wellington Affordable Arts Trust for hosting tonight’s fund-raising event and for supporting the Hospital in a meaningful way, ensuring the health and well-being of very sick babies.  I think it is wonderful to see so many people here, and many of you are voluntarily giving your time for an objective well worth your effort.  I hope that you all have lots of fun as this Show unfolds.  As Sir Winston Churchill said: “We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.”

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