New Zealand-United Kingdom Link Foundation

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 and the sun has set (Sign).

May I specifically greet you: Mark Horton, Chair of the NZ-UK Link Foundation; my predecessor, Hon Dame Catherine Tizard; Your Excellency George Fergusson, British High Commissioner and Hon John Waugh, British Consul General; Rt Hon Jonathan Hunt and the Hon George Gair, former Ministers of the Crown; Greg Thornton, our guest speaker this evening; Distinguished Guests otherwise; Ladies and Gentlemen.

It is with pleasure that my wife Susan and I welcome you to Government House in Auckland this evening for this reception for the New Zealand United Kingdom Link Foundation.

Originally established as the Waitangi Foundation in 1990, the work of the Link  Foundation highlights and fosters an important aspect of New Zealand's heritage.  In addition to New Zealand's Maori heritage, a fundamental pillar of New Zealand's history as a modern nation is its British heritage.

That heritage is symbolised in the Office I hold as Governor-General and personal representative of New Zealand's Head of State, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.  Of course, in Britain she is Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland whereas here she is Queen of New Zealand. 

Those titles underscores that while Britain and New Zealand share much in common—in language, sport, education, law and parliamentary practice—we are also independent nations with our own view of our respective roles in the world. 

Britain naturally sees itself as part of Europe while New Zealand see itself as part of the Pacific.  But we are both members of the Commonwealth and both cherish the strong ties between us.

So while the history of New Zealand's relationship with Britain illuminates much of New Zealand's history and development as an independent nation, it is not the complete picture.

New Zealand developed its own distinctive culture, founded on twin pillars of Maori and British culture but also increasingly reflecting our nation's growing diversity with many immigrants from the Pacific and Asia now calling this country home—as my own background attests.   

But despite these changes, the ties that link New Zealand and the United Kingdom, remain strong and the relationship between us is warm and friendly.  Britain remains a strong trading partner, although that relationship too has changed dramatically in the last 40 years. 

There remains a continual movement of people backwards and forwards.  Many Kiwis head to Britain, and particularly London, for their OE, and many young Britons do the same in reverse by visiting and working in New Zealand.  Family ties between our two nations remain strong and are renewed with each successive generation. 

While we see ourselves as New Zealanders first, Britain retains a certain mystique.  As New Zealand academic, Dr David Dowling, now living in Canada once wrote: "We are taught that the world won't really come into focus until we stand on London Bridge."

Therefore, the work of the Link Foundation in fostering educational and cultural exchanges between our two countries remains important.  I am advised that more than 200 individual fellowships in both directions have been awarded.

Those vocational fields have included agriculture and horticulture, the arts, climate, conservation and the environment, design and architecture, financial services and investment, geology, international relations, science and technology and social and legal policy.

One of those programmes is the "Linking Minds" initiative, which assists New Zealand teachers to visit Britain to observe and discuss teaching methods with colleagues in Britain.  I understand that our guest speaker this evening, Greg Thornton, is an alumnus of the initiative.

As Governor-General and your Vice-Patron, I congratulate the Foundation and its many volunteers throughout the country on your ongoing work. 

While times have changed from those when my predecessor Lord Cobham 50 years ago referred to New Zealand's connection to the "Mother Country," I remain convinced that while our traditional friendship with Britain will continue to evolve, it will remain as enduring and valued as before.  

And on that note, I will I close in 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.