Reception hosted by NZ High Commissioner to Canada
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 (Sign)
May I specifically greet you: Your Excellency Kate Lackey, New Zealand High Commissioner to Canada, and Mr David Lackey; Distinguished Guests otherwise; Ladies and Gentlemen. To our friends from Canada, may I also say: Greetings and Bonjour.
Thank you for inviting my wife Susan and I to this Reception in Ottawa this evening.
Earlier today, we had an opportunity to thank Their Excellencies and the Canadian Government for hosting this visit. Both Susan and I would also like to thank everyone from the New Zealand High Commission here in Ottawa who have worked so hard and well with your Canadian counterparts to organise this State Visit.
This is the first time that a New Zealand Governor-General has undertaken a State Visit to Canada. The resultant programme is both comprehensive and impressive and I congratulate everyone for the work they have put in. The visit to the War Amps National Headquarters this afternoon was particularly moving.
I am sure the various meetings and briefings we will attend, the people we will meet, and exhibitions we will view, will give us a better insight into Canada's development, its interests and how our two countries can enhance what is an already strong relationship.
The close and friendly connection between Canada and New Zealand is founded on a shared heritage. That includes our Commonwealth membership and the foundation of our systems of government being on common Westminster parliamentary and legal principles and traditions.
One of the strands is that of defence. In both the First and Second World Wars, New Zealanders and Canadians fought alongside each other on battlefields far from home, often paying the ultimate sacrifice to defend the democratic freedoms that our two peoples hold dear. In more recent times, we have worked together, often under the banner of the United Nations, to attempt to bring peace and stability in some of the world's most troubled places.
Our countries are both founding members of the United Nations and have worked collaboratively in a host of international forums, from APEC to the WTO and the Cairns Group of agricultural exporters. There is also a healthy flow of trade and tourists between our two countries.
These and many other items have seen New Zealand and Canada engender a similar view of the world. We tend to identify with each other's interests and concerns.
In conclusion, I wish to reiterate deep thanks to everyone involved in organising our visit. I am confident that much valuable knowledge and information will be absorbed and shared and we will each leave with a better understanding of our respective countries' interests.
And on that note, underpinning the quality friendship, I will close, and in New Zealand's first language, Maori, offering greetings and wishing you good health and fortitude in your endeavours. No reira, tena koutou, tena koutou, kia ora, kia kaha, tena koutou katoa.