E kui mā, e koro mā, e huihui mai nei I tenei ra, tēnei aku mihi nui ki a koutou. Kia ora mai tātou katoa.
I’d like to specifically acknowledge: Air Marshal Tony Davies, Chief of Defence Force; Major General Rose King, Chief of Army; Ngāi Tahu iwi; representatives of central and local government; current serving personnel, veterans, friends and family of the 2nd/1st Battalion of the Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment.
And to all distinguished guests here for today’s very special ceremony – tēnā koutou katoa.
It is my honour and privilege, as Governor-General and Commander-in-Chief, representing His Majesty King Charles III, to present the new King’s and Regimental Colours to the 2nd/1st Battalion. I recognise the great significance of this occasion: for the battalion, for the New Zealand Army, and, indeed, for our country.
This is a truly historic moment. I understand that replacement Colours were last presented to a New Zealand Infantry battalion 27 years ago – and that the last time a King’s Colour was presented to a New Zealand Army battalion was prior to the Second World War.
While I know that Colours are no longer carried onto the battlefield, they continue to hold important practical and symbolic meaning: serving as unit identifiers, but also memorialising the history and spirit of the battalions which carry them, and the courage and sacrifice of all those who have served throughout their history.
In August of this year, His Majesty King Charles III approved the emblazonment of an additional eight Battle Honours onto your Regimental Colour, inherited from the six New Zealand battalions which served across the world wars.
Those battalions share with the 2nd/1st Battalion the rare distinction of having their number drawn from every part of Aotearoa – thus giving these Colours added significance: that all those communities across the country, who served with such selflessness and bravery during the First and Second World Wars, are united on a Regimental Colour for the very first time.
I wish to acknowledge Tā Bom Gillies, the last surviving member of the 28th Māori Battalion, and Mr Doug Reid of the 27th Machine Gun Battalion, who are unable to be with us today, but who I understand will be watching via livestream. For today’s generation of soldiers, I know that your new Colours will serve as a powerful reminder of the sacrifices of your forebears, and a symbol of the extraordinary heritage of which you are now a part.
I commend the 2nd/1st Battalion on your meticulous drill and bearing today. They are a testament, not only to your commitment to maintaining the highest professional standards in the service of our country, but also of your carrying on that proud legacy of your forebears.
I also wish to take this opportunity to express my gratitude to all members of the New Zealand Army present here today – for your ongoing commitment and service to the people of Aotearoa New Zealand. I feel immensely proud to serve as your Commander-in-Chief.
It is now my honour to read out a message provided for this occasion by His Majesty King Charles III:
E nga rangatira, e ngā āpiha, rātou ko ngā hōia, e ngā tāngata katoa o Aotearoa, ka nui ngā mihi, ki a koutou katoa. Tēnā koutou.
To the chiefs, to the officers and soldiers, and all New Zealanders. Greetings.
I greatly regret that I cannot be with you to present your Colours in person and in the presence of your Regimental family, but it is a source of great pride to me that you will receive them in my name.
Your country and your Regiment's history is sewn into the very fabric of these Colours. They recall the courage and selfless commitment on the battlefield of soldiers who, like yourselves, were drawn from every part of New Zealand.
May these Colours serve as a constant inspiration to you and to those who come after you. I am proud to give them into your safekeeping in the knowledge that you will continue to uphold the standards and spirit of your country and the Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment.
Nō reira, tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou katoa. Onward.
I wish the 2nd/1st Battalion all the very best in this new chapter in your history – as you begin to sew your own outstanding legacy into these beautiful Colours I have the honour of presenting here today.
Kia ora, kia kaha, huihui tātou katoa.