Speech
Reception for Korea New Zealand Business Council
Ladies and Gentlemen, I greet you in the languages of the realm of New Zealand - English, Maori, Cook Island Maori, Niuean, Tokelauan and New Zealand Sign Language.
Greetings, Kia Ora, Kia Orana, Fakalofa Lahi Atu, Taloha Ni and (Sign)
Yo-ro-bun An-nyong Ha-shim-ni-kka. (Hello everyone)
Greetings specifically: Your Excellency Ambassador Lee and Mrs Lee; Consul General Mr Kang; Chair of Korea-New Zealand Business Council, Dr Richard Worth MP; Deputy Chairman of Korea New Zealand Business Council, Michael Park; Member of the Korean Parliamentary Friendship Group, Dr Ashraf Choudhary MP; President Korean Society of NZ Inc, Mr Shi Chung Yoo; President of the Overseas Korean Traders Association, Mr Jason Huh; Ladies and Gentlemen.
My wife Susan and I warmly welcome you to Government House this evening. We are pleased to host this event in Auckland, which is home to a very large number of Korean New Zealanders. Indeed, I am advised that Korean is the second most widely spoken language on Auckland's North Shore.
In every New Zealand setting whoever speaks ought first to establish a place to stand before the audience. In this regard, I am speaking firstly as Governor-General of a country which celebrates, and welcomes, its relationship with Korea.
I am also speaking as a New Zealander with a long-standing personal and professional interest in the evolution of our national identity, and the benefits that our increasing diversity offers us as a country.
New Zealand's Korean community is an important part of this evolving identity. Nearly one percent of New Zealanders identified as Korean in the most recent Census.
The Korean community makes a significant contribution, both at an economic and a social level within New Zealand. Importantly too, it helps act as a conduit to strengthen relations between our two countries.
Reflecting this, there are four bodies set up to further our relations including the Korea New Zealand Business Council, the Overseas Korean Traders Association, the Korean Chamber of Commerce and Industry in New Zealand and the Korean Society.
Korea is an important and like-minded partner for New Zealand. We both seek a secure and prosperous Asia-Pacific region. We both value human rights, democracy and an open trading environment.
Our trading relationship is worth more than two billion dollars each year and the depth and breadth of our economic interests is evident from the broad range of prominent business and community leaders who are present tonight.
Primary production is a key area of our trading relationship and I am advised that a number of Korean business people have become involved in this sector, from forestry to organics. There has also been diverse investment by the Korean community across sectors such as construction, real estate, steel, mining and fisheries.
In Auckland alone, I am told in information provided by the Korea society, that there are an estimated 2,000 companies which have been established by Koreans.
Our links transcend business, of course. We have affiliations in the arts and within our film industries - just last year I attended the opening of the Korean Film Festival in Wellington and I am aware that both our industries work together behind the scenes.
Science and technology is another area where we have close relations, involving researchers, institutes and businesses. And commercial and research partnerships between our countries are developing in information and communication technology, biotechnology, nanotechnology, among other areas.
The individuals and organisations who build business linkages between Korea and New Zealand are the ones who drive our strong economic relationship.
I would like to acknowledge the work undertaken by the Korea New Zealand Business Council, and its members, in forging these important ties.
The strong relationship between Korea and New Zealand brings benefits to both countries through these many connections, particularly as Korea becomes a regional trading hub in Asia. I look forward to seeing this relationship flourish as our countries continue to work closely together.
I began speaking in all the New Zealand realm languages. May I close by speaking in Maori, issuing greetings and wishing you good health and fortitude in your endeavours.
No reira, tena koutou, tena koutou, kia ora, kia kaha, tena koutou katoa