Northland Events Centre/Toll Stadium Official 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 afternoon (Sign)

I specifically greet you: Phil Halse, Acting Mayor of Whāngārei District and your fellow councillors; Craig Brown, Chairman of the Northland Regional Council and your fellow members, Ken Paterson, Chief Executive of the Northland Regional Council; Your Worships Wayne Brown, Mayor of the Far North District; Your Worship Neil Tiller, Mayor of Kaipara District; Hon Phil Heatley, Minister of Housing and Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture and Member of Parliament for Whāngārei; staff; Distinguished Guests otherwise; Ladies and Gentlemen. 

It was with great pleasure that Susan and I accepted the invitation to attend the opening of Northland Events Centre here in Whāngārei this afternoon.  I have been asked to officially open the Stadium, but before I do, I would like to speak a little of the significance of what has happened here.

The Governor-General role has happily created many opportunities to keep coming back to the Northland region.  We last visited here in February this year for the  Waitangi Day celebrations.

We return again to such a beautiful part of New Zealand connecting with the region’s people,  yesterday involved a memorable encounter with all of the four schools servicing Kaikohe, learning of your plans, and of course now opening this wonderful community facility here at Okara Park.  As our term in the Governor-General role ends in just under three months’ time, it is likely to be the final time that Susan and I visit to this part of New Zealand at least wearing the jersey.

The opening of anything new in the community provides proper opportunity for outpouring of local and regional pride.  I suggest that the people of the Northland region can rightly take great pride in this stadium for a number of reasons.

The first reason for pride is captured in the word "multi".  This is because the complex caters to the needs of a number of sporting and community events.  As one with some experience with sports administration, I have seen sports codes build facilities which meet only their own ends.  The results can be fine buildings and grounds that are not used to the fullest extent possible.

This kind of tuning is changing in  a number of places in New Zealand. I am advised that this events centre, since opening for operations in June last year, has played host to more than 400 events already, ranging from conferences to weddings to sporting events. Of sports events, I understand that the recent Super 15 Blues versus Cheetahs match was held here, as well as a number of other football matches and a Rugby League clash between the Vodafone Warriors and the Burleigh Bears.

The second reason for pride is summed up by the word collaboration. At the sporting end of the spectrum, Northland Events Centre Trust is to be congratulated on ensuring that the facility caters for more than just sporting events.  By working together, the combined councils, sport clubs and the community now have a centre that would have been beyond their individual abilities to maintain, let alone build.

At the local government end of the spectrum, the Northland Regional and Whāngārei District Councils are to be congratulated for working together and contributing their weight. 

The third reason for pride is that this project has been completed to a world class standard.  With the Rugby World Cup fast approaching, events centres throughout the country are gearing up for one of New Zealand’s most memorable sporting occasions yet. Hosting many international teams and their supporters needs to be in done in a way that displays Ne Zealanders at their best.

This Northland Events Centre, being the northern most venue for the Rugby World Cup, has prepared itself well and represents a world class facility ready for the international stage. Playing host to two “Pool A” matches, which will be viewed in many parts of the world, is an exciting prospect and is an opportunity to showcase this beautiful part of the country and its people.

I am reminded of English novelist and playwright, J.B. Priestley, who after visiting New Zealand had this to say:

“Behind the country’s easy and casual manner and style there is an uncommon ability to organise things both efficiently and coolly.”

That reality is one that has been reinforced for Susan and I as we have travelled the length and breadth of the country during our time in the Governor-General role. The laid back, cool, calm and collected nature of New Zealanders who have the ability to step up and deliver exceptional results when required is a trait that this area of the country proudly exhibits.

As to the location, Okara Park is the traditional home of rugby for Northland.  Any New Zealand sport follower can bring to mind the names of Jones of two eras, of Erceg and Marinkovich and Cherrington and of many Goings in addition to the legendary Sid.  Many can recall the match in 1979 attended by a record breaking crowd of 40,000 as local side, North Auckland defended the prized Ranfurly Shield against its southern and neighbouring rival, Auckland.

This ground has been the venue for several international games such as the 1998 test between the New Zealand Māori and Tonga and has seen Northland take on a number of touring international sides such as the British and Irish Lions, and Tonga, Samoa and Fiji in the mid 1990's.

Northland Events Centre is somewhere that, if you will excuse the pun, has grown from the ground up.  It is a place that reflects the culmination of a vision of a healthier, fitter community. 

To that end, I would like to add thanks to everyone involved in its development, including the sponsors and community funders, the builders and project managers.  In particular, I would like to praise the efforts of the Northland Regional and Whāngārei District Councils, and Copeland Associates Architects, which worked with Argon Construction to design the Okara Park facility. The wider community owes you a great debt of gratitude.

In conclusion, the Northland Events Centre is a fitting symbol and tribute to the vision, tenacity and spirit of the peoples of Northland.   I feel confident that this facility will provide much to the wider community.

Accordingly, as Governor-General of New Zealand, it gives me great pleasure to declare the Northland Events Centre officially open.

And on that note, I will close in New Zealand’s first language Māori, offering greetings and wishing everyone good health and fortitude in your endeavours. 

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