Salvation Army Red Shield Appeal Launch

Ladies and Gentlemen, I greet you in the languages of the realm of New Zealand - English, Maori, Cook Island Maori, Niuean, Tokelauan and Sign Language.

Kia Ora, Kia Orana, Fakalofa Lahi Atu, Taloha Ni and Sign.

Specifically I greet you: Your Excellency the Australian High Commissioner to New Zealand, John Dauth, Minister of Revenue Hon Peter Dunne, MP Gordon Copeland, Your Worships the Mayors of the Wellington region, Kerry Prendergast David Ogden and Jenny Brash, Commissioner Garth McKenzie, Territorial Commander, Salvation Army New Zealand, Fiji & Tonga, Commissioner Mel McKenzie Territorial President of Women's Ministries, Salvation Army New Zealand, Fiji & Tonga, many other decorated Salvation Army Members, Phillip Meyer, Chairman, Red Shield Appeal Central Committee of the Salvation Army, Ladies and Gentlemen.

I thank you for the kind invitation to my wife Susan and I to be here, this morning, and for me to officially launch The Salvation Army Red Shield Appeal for 2007.

The Salvation Army is a well-recognised and highly respected organisation within New Zealand - and rightly so because of having provided extensive community support to New Zealanders for the past 124 years since its establishment, I am advised, in 1883. In my preparation for this morning I have been interested to read up about the fears expressed for the direction of New Zealand society of the time and as to how General Booth sent the first two officers from the United Kingdom to Dunedin for their first rally.

In that time, the Salvation Army has been witness to considerable change - both social and economic. As New Zealand has matured and evolved as a country, as have the services of the Salvation Army grown and diversified, responding to the changing needs of our people.

The services offered by The Salvation Army are notable in their breadth. Its work touches many parts of New Zealand and this sees it help thousands of individuals across the country everyday.

It is considered one of the leading religious community organisations in New Zealand and its black and red brand has the wonderful asset of credibility with the wider New Zealand public.

I am able to speak of this as a working Judge and lawyer in former occupations who has seen the work provided by Salvation Army personnel to help those in need and whose work for example has been so crucial in developing a number of "made in New Zealand" parts of the criminal justice system such as the Diversion Scheme where first offenders are able to avoid the scourge of a criminal conviction against their name by admission of liability and successful completion of some rehabilitative programme - often brokered by the Salvation Army.  I mention too the work done about addictions by the Bridge Programme and the Family Stores (0800 4 Collect) through whose auspices so many New Zealanders have been able to recycle such things as clothing and furniture to another user.

New Zealand is today a country of many faiths and ethnicities, and our ever-increasing diversity has given rise to a wide range of faith-based organisations that provide for the needs of New Zealanders.

As Governor-General, now for eight months, I have had occasion in  many parts of our country, to meet many of the people who work and volunteer within these organisations. These people all share a desire to help others and in this, they often go beyond the call of duty.

This morning's event brings to mind the scope of volunteer work currently being undertaken in New Zealand.  I am frequently invited to share in celebrations and milestones of these organisations and almost without exception, they furnish yet another reason to register pride at being the erstwhile Governor-General of a country with compassion.

Attending these events does bring to my attention two common features of our community service organisations.  The first is the importance of volunteers. It goes without saying that many organisations would not function without the help of people who provide their time and knowledge for free.

The Salvation Army is no exception. The Red Shield Appeal relies heavily on volunteers as collectors across the country. Historically this has been a door-knocking exercise but in recent years the appeal has been conducted on city streets. The appeal is now well recognised by New Zealanders.

Secondly, I am reminded of the constant need organisations like The Salvation Army have for financial support. It is an issue that affects all charitable organisations, regardless of size. To quote the Salvation Army's Financial Secretary, Major Graeme Reddish:

"The cost of caring in New Zealand continues to grow and provides an ongoing challenge to The Salvation Army in meeting the needs of people in the community."

I am informed that this cost is in the millions of dollars per year, this being I am advised a conservative estimate and one that does not include operating costs of the buildings and Corps the Salvation Army owns. The Red Shield Appeal provides a week of national exposure and is a major source of revenue for the organisation.

Much of this revenue is sourced from the business community. 

I am aware there are members of the business community here this morning who have significantly supported The Salvation Army in the past.  May I on behalf of the general community commend your generosity in helping this organisation provide such extensive and invaluable community support across New Zealand.

The proceeds from the Red Shield Appeal will significantly contribute to the everyday running of Salvation Army services and will have a very real impact on people's lives.

I am informed there will be testimonies from two people later in programme who have been beneficiaries of The Salvation Army's work. I look forward to hearing their stories of success.

The notable motor vehicle manufacturer and philanthropist of the last century in the United States, Henry Ford, once said:

Coming together is a beginning.
Keeping together is progress.
Working together is success.

Many here this morning will be aware that the Red Shield Appeal slogan is "we're all in this together". Henry Ford also recognised the need to work together to reach a successful outcome.

I am glad to endorse The Salvation Army Red Shield Appeal. By raising awareness about The Salvation Army's work within New Zealand, there is a greater chance that we can work together to help those in need, through donation of our time or money.

I would now like to declare the 2007 Red Shield Appeal officially open.

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.