New Zealand Parole Board Conference Dinner

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 is the evening (Sign)

May I first and specifically acknowledge you: Judge David Carruthers, Chairperson of the New Zealand Parole Board.  Beyond you, in the warm chemistry of this fine room, I recognise a number of people who constitute part of the parole process - some who are in their first week, some whose contribution to parole work goes back beyond the 2002 arrangements under which you work, to the 1990's - for example Whaea June Jackson who joined the Parole Board in the early 1990s.  It seems an appropriate moment to acknowledge many people who in their turn from time to time have come forward to work on the Parole Board.  At the risk of causing difficulty by omission may I mention respectfully, the late Justice Dick Heron, Judge Bruce Buckton and Hohua Tutengaehe.  Contribution to parole work is something which is always undergoing change and therefore tonight sees Judge Bill Unwin coming to an end of this part of his judicial work and other retiring members of the Parole Board: Wendy Ball, Sandy Gill, Patrick Tavai and Alison Timms.  I greet all serving and incoming members of the Board, and friends of the Board who are also present here tonight.

I much appreciate the invitation for my wife Susan and I to attend your conference dinner.  I stand comfortably among you as someone who was also one of your number from 1991 to 1994 - when under the chairmanship of Justice Sir Thomas Thorp, we undertook our parole work in terms of the then 1985 arrangements, one of our valued colleagues being June Jackson.

I consider myself fortunate in having enjoyed a professional career that has seen me work in a number of aspects of the legal system - parole board member, crown prosecutor, defence lawyer, judge, and ombudsman.  Now, as Governor-General, I am present at the titular end where, on the advice of ministers, I am to sign laws into effect, to make appointments and to respond to pleas for the royal prerogative of mercy.

For a number of reasons then, not least the great pleasure of familiar company, I am very happy to be here and to speak tonight.

You may be aware, that whenever the Governor-General accepts an invitation to a gathering there is a well-worn path to be followed beginning with a standard form that someone at the organising end is to fill out.  This document assists  (or I should say is meant to assist) in understanding the nature of the occasion, and the particular part that I might be called on to play.

The form for this event was completed by Judge Carruthers.  This he did in his legendary handwriting or rather his legendary atrocious handwriting- of which I have had some 25 years of knowledge.  There is a space in the form which reads "What is the Governor-General's role?  In answer to this Judge Carruthers wrote, 'Ornamental and Wise'.

Well Judge, I shall of course do my best to be ornamental and wise. I might add that it is a considerable advantage in respect of both qualities, that my wife Susan, at your kind invitation, accompanies me here tonight. 

The same form asks for bullet-pointed suggestions regarding the subject of what the Governor-General might address.  The question reads "Subjects you would like the Governor-General to talk about."  Judge Carruthers has helpfully proposed a single word 'Life' - with the addition of a jaunty exclamation mark.

Life, then.  This "fitful fever, this hurly burly, this rough sea", as the poets would variously have it; measured out as it is by deeds by both wicked and selfless, or indeed - again, according to the poet TS Eliot - by coffee spoons.*

Those who participate in any system of justice are more likely to spend time addressing the hurly burly than arranging the cutlery.  TS Eliot?  Judge Carruthers apparently was of the view that it was "simply obligatory" for me at some point to quote TS Eliot in the course of my remarks.

In your part of the system of justice, members of the Parole Board, you work at the complex intersection of the principles of fairness and responsibility, and the imperative of understanding.  At this meeting of roads, judgments are difficult, and public scrutiny is intense.

I commend you for your willingness to undertake this public service, and to make an important contribution to life in New Zealand in these early years of the 21^st century. 

These are diverse and dynamic times, charged with the energy of a culture that is defining and redefining itself.  We are challenged as a community to debate questions of our identity.  At the same time we look to put a line in the sand, to articulate what it is, as New Zealanders, that we hold to be important.

In respect of your role it is important that you honour the victims and potential victims of crime, and have as your paramount consideration the safety of our community.

But it is important, too, that in making your decisions you are able to have confidence in our country's civic strength.  This strength is given effect by the willingness of our society to count within our number - even those who have broken the laws we live by - and to look for a way to restore them to productive lives.

For those of you new to the Parole Board, the balance will be one you will work at to find.  You will do this in the company of colleagues some of whom are hugely expert in their fields.  At your inaugural conference, and beyond in your meetings ahead, you will be called on to support each other in the roles you have taken on.  There will be days, I can assure you, when what you consider will be gruellingly hard, when life's exclamation mark will seem all too emphatic and without any jauntiness.

Let me say to you all, that I know well enough from my own experience, that clear thinking, careful deliberation and well-considered decisions can be portrayed as otherwise by those who want to take a different view. 

Even the best-considered decision, of course, can sometimes be one that we look back upon and regret.  But that, unfortunately, is part of life, at any time, in any place.  When, therefore, on the advice of the Government through the Attorney-General I am asked to appoint members of the Parole Board, I do not seek to confirm that second sight is part of the job description. In other words fallibility is part of what has to be accepted.

What the State does ask of you, and which I know you bring to your work, is your expertise, your experience, your understanding, commitment and integrity. I take responsibility to thank you most sincerely for that. 

Although there will be, in a few moments, a more formal acknowledgement, this seems to be as suitable a moment as any, to register the community's sincere thanks to those who are completing their time with the Parole Board.

Ladies and Gentlemen, accordingly on the notes I have endeavoured to strike - of thanks, of hope and of admiration, I will close in New Zealand's first language, Maori, offering greetings and wishing everyone good health and fortitude in your endeavours. No reira, tena koutou, tena koutou, kia ora, kia kaha, tena koutou katoa.

*"Lovesong of J Alfred Prufrock" TS Eliot 1917