Kei aku Mana Whakaruruhau tēnā koutou. Tēnā koutou Ngāti Tūmatauenga. Mihi mai, karanga mai, e te wāhanga taiwhenua, o Te Ope Kātua, o Aotearoa. E koa ana ahau ki te haramai nei i tēnei rangi.
I would like to begin by specifically acknowledging: Major General John Boswell, Chief of Army; Brigadier Matt Weston, Land Component Command; Colonel Trevor Walker, Commander Training and Doctrine Command NZ; Lieutenant Colonel Jim Webb, Commandant of the Army Command School; and all other military personnel and distinguished guests present here today. Tēnā koutou katoa.
My very warmest greetings to all of today’s graduates, as well as to your friends and families. I also wish to particularly acknowledge today’s international graduates, who have completed their training with the additional burden of being away from your loved ones.
As Governor-General and Commander-in-Chief, I am proud to be here, on this very special and important day for all of today’s graduates. I know that officer training presents huge physical and psychological challenges. It demands commitment, self-belief, and fortitude: values I am sure you will carry with you for the rest of your lives.
I understand that a fundamental aspect of your training is establishing a foundation of core military skills that you will refine and build upon through your careers. But above all, in your training as officers, you have learnt to become leaders.
Over the course of my own career journey, I have grown in my knowledge and understanding of what it means to be a good leader. I have learnt that one of the most important aspects is selflessness: being willing to serve and support others, and doing all you can to lift up those around you.
This graduation ceremony represents your readiness to both lead and to serve – wherever your careers in the New Zealand Army take you: whether on overseas missions, or at home – helping your fellow New Zealanders in their times of greatest need.
As I am sure you are all highly aware, we live in challenging and uncertain times – of continuing conflict overseas, and where the effects of climate change are being seen and felt more and more clearly. You will each have a role to play in how New Zealand responds to these challenges of our time.
An important part of your duties in facing these challenges will be collaboration: whether participating in training exercises in the South Pacific, or working alongside organisations such as the Red Cross, St John, and Civic Defence in our local communities. I know that in all that you do, you will uphold the Army’s outstanding reputation and professional standards.
To the training staff here at Waiouru: I acknowledge all that you’ve done to support our next generation of officers, and instil in them the kinds of qualities and values for which our New Zealand Defence Force is so renowned. Thank you for your support and guidance in helping our graduates get to where they are today.
To friends and families: I am sure you feel great pride in what your loved ones have achieved over the course of this past year. I hope you take the opportunity to celebrate their achievements in the coming festive weeks.
And finally, to our graduates: my very warmest congratulations. I trust you will look back on your time at the Officer Cadet School, and on today, with pride, satisfaction, and joy – at the challenges faced and friendships made.
I hope you take time over the summer period to fully reflect on your achievements, and return refreshed and ready to meet the next phase of your life and career, carrying with you those eternal qualities of Ngāti Tūmatauenga: courage, commitment, comradeship, and integrity.
Kia ora, kia kaha, kia manawanui, huihui tātou katoa.