Patronages Reception

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 Good evening).

May I specifically greet you: Members of Parliament; Phillip O'Shea, New Zealand Herald of Arms Extraordinary; Lt Commander Sandy McKie, of the Royal New Zealand Navy; Representatives of organisations with Vice-Regal Patronage; Ladies and Gentlemen.

It is with pleasure that my wife Susan and I welcome you to this reception at Government House in Wellington this evening.

This reception serves a number of purposes.  First and foremost, it is an opportunity to register thanks to the people who work in the 150 charitable, cultural, sporting and social organisations that have Governor-General patronage, either from me, or from my wife Susan, and in a few cases, jointly from us both.

Those organisations vary in nature and texture, from the Antarctic Heritage Trust, Arts Foundation and Boys Brigade at the beginning of the alphabet to the Kidney Foundation and Laura Fergusson Trust in the middle to Volunteer Service Abroad, the Winston Churchill Trust and YWCA at the other end.  Indeed apart from the letters, Q, X and Z, the entire alphabet is covered!

As patrons, my wife Susan and I want to register thanks for your hard work and the contribution that you all make to the social and cultural fabric of New Zealand. 

Last year, Statistics New Zealand published a report that highlighted the significant contribution which the not-for-profit sector makes to our country.

It was found that there were more than 97,000 not-for-profit organisations operating in New Zealand.  The largest proportion were sporting, cultural and recreational but there were significant numbers operating in education, social services and health.

What was most surprising was that 90 percent employed no staff at all. That these organisations achieve so much is due solely to the work of volunteers. 

While volunteering offers its own intrinsic benefits for anyone who gives up their time to help a worthy organisation, for many people it also offers an opportunity to meet new people and make friends and often leads to employment opportunities.

The generosity and dedication of the thousands of New Zealanders who volunteer their time, energy and skills to assist sporting, cultural and charitable organisations, not only helps build strong and sustainable communities, but also makes a significant economic contribution to our country and what can be called its civic strength.

So to all the volunteers, and to the small hardworking paid staff that link them together, I again say thank you and hope that this modest gesture of the hospitality of this house is some small symbol of our appreciation.

There is tonight a second matter which is, as you may have heard in the media, that our Queen, has approved a new flag for the Governor-General of New Zealand.  While the flag was first flown at a similar function at Government House Auckland two weeks ago, tonight we lower the old flag for the last time.

I have wholeheartedly supported the review that led to this new flag.  It is bold, simple and representative of our country.

While the old flag had served New Zealand well for 70 years, it was long overdue for updating. As a generic design approved for a semi-colonial era, the old flag (with lion atop a crown) lacked elements that were representative of New Zealand. 

A third and final point I wish to note is that recently Wellington and New Zealand marked World Environment Day.  Earlier this year, the Queen issued her annual Commonwealth Day message which also focused on the environment and particularly on one of the most pressing issues of our time, climate change. 

In that message, Her Majesty issued a challenge—that it was time to "match words and good intentions with deeds".

It is a challenge that I also put before the organisations that have vice-regal patronage, to play their part to reduce waste and tackle carbon emissions. 

Many of the organisations we have given vice-regal patronage have been national and international leaders on addressing important education, social and health issues.  I believe there is also the scope and ability to show how everyone can work to reduce waste and carbon emissions.

As individuals and as members of organisations, if we work with common cause, climate change and environmental degradation can be lessened.

As South African, Archbishop Desmond Tutu once said:

"Do your little bit of good where you are; it's those little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world."

And on that note, I will I 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.