E nga mana, e nga reo, e nga iwi o te motu e huihui nei, tēnei aku mihi nui ki a koutou. Kia ora tātou katoa.
I specifically acknowledge: His Worship Phil Mauger; Commander Rob Hall and Sub Lieutenant Amos Kamo; Mishele Phillips Radford, Chair of Te Hapu o Ngati Wheke; Bennett Medary, President of Coastguard New Zealand and acting CEO Phil Harkness; and Mark Leggett, President of Coastguard Canterbury.
It’s wonderful to be in Lyttleton today in support of two significant community institutions. This morning, I visited Cholmondeley Children’s Centre to celebrate their 100 years of operation – and now it is my privilege to join you all in celebrating a new era for Coastguard Canterbury.
I am also pleased to have this opportunity to see some of the latest progress in the rebuild after the Christchurch earthquake. Some people here today were no doubt severely affected – and I imagine all of you will know people who lost loved ones, homes and businesses.
I cannot imagine how distressing it must have been to see the extensive damage to your town, port and landscape – including to your precious marine rescue centre.
This wonderful new building is another great step in the rebuild, and an expression of confidence in the future. I am sure it will be a great amenity for Lyttleton.
I come here today both as Governor-General, and also as Commander-in-Chief of New Zealand Defence Forces. Commander Hall, I am delighted to see HMNZS Canterbury here in port, and to be able to personally thank you for hosting my husband during what I hear was an unforgettable voyage to the Sub-Antarctic Islands.
Your presence here reminds us that our Navy not only plays a role in military operations, disaster recovery, meteorology and scientific research – but also as a vital partner in our coastguard services.
New Zealanders are so blessed to live on these beautiful islands, and we are never far from our stunning coastline and harbours. We have inherited great seafaring traditions, and our affinity with the sea runs deep.
Tangaroa commands our respect as the origin of all living things on our planet, giving us life and sustenance. It can also be unforgiving for the inexperienced or foolhardy. As Ernest Hemingway once said: 'The sea finds out everything you did wrong.'
The thousands of historic shipwrecks on our coastline could suggest our forebears lacked skill and judgment as seafarers – but we know plans can go horribly wrong for even the most seasoned boatie or sailor.
The sea is a great leveller. We can all become victims of tides, the elements, unfortunate accidents or medical events.
The coastguard volunteers here today deserve our deepest gratitude for helping others who have got into difficulties – and for putting their own lives at risk.
Martin Luther King said: 'Life’s most persistent and urgent question is "what are you doing for others?"' So much of what is good and true in our communities is due to the commitment of volunteers – people who are prepared to devote their time, energy and skills in the service of public good.
I also want to acknowledge the individuals and organisations who saw that Lyttleton’s coastguard volunteers needed a new home, and were determined to make this project become a reality.
Lyttleton can be justly proud of this purpose-built facility, as well as the unwavering commitment of your coastguard volunteers to bring people in distress safely to shore. I wish you all the very best with that mission in the years ahead.
Kia ora, kia kaha, kia manawanui, huihui tātou katoa.