Samoan Community Reception

I greet everyone 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 as it is the evening and the sun has gone down (Sign)

May I specifically greet you: Your Excellency Asi Tuiataga Blakelock, High Commissioner for Samoa and Mrs Helen Blakelock; John Adank, Pacific Division Director of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Trade and recently returned New Zealand High Commissioner to Samoa; Reverend Vaiao Eteuati; Sua Tagaloa, President of New Zealand Samoan Advisory Council; Faa matua inu Tino Pereira; Member of Samoan Advisory Council; Afioga Galuegapapa Fialauia Tamasese and other Elders of the Samoan community in New Zealand; Honourable Judges, Members of the New Zealand Parliament, Sons,Daughters and Friends of Samoa; Ladies and Gentlemen. To you all may I also say: Talofa lava.

My wife Susan and I warmly welcome you to Government House this evening. It is a pleasure for us to host members of New Zealand's Samoan community, less than a month after making our first state visit to Samoa.   Having all of you here this evening (and thank you for accepting our invitation) is for us, literally, the "second leg of the double."

During that visit to Samoa, it was a particular privilege to be the first overseas official visitor for the Head of State, His Highness Tui Atua Tupua Taisi Tamasese Efi, and as well to formally meet the Prime Minister, the Hon Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi, and many other Samoan leaders.  We also enjoyed touring some of the facilities for the South Pacific Games, now underway, the Lands and Titles Court at Mulinu'u, the newly refurbished Robert Louis Stevenson Museum at Vailima and a variety of projects being supported by NZAID.

It was, however, not my first visit to Samoa, nor even first visit since being appointed Governor-General in 2006.  I have a number of connections to Samoa and in my extended family, I have two Samoan aunties, now deceased as well as first cousins, with Samoan mothers.

Three months ago, I was among those at the State Funeral for His Highness Malietoa Tanumafili II along with a substantial delegation from New Zealand.  As one of the fathers of Samoa's independence he was held in great respect both at home and in the Pacific.  His was an extraordinarily distinguished record of service and he will be greatly missed. 

In the light of his contribution to Samoa's independence and its Constitution, it is fitting to note that this year marks not only 45 years since Samoan independence but also 45 years since the signing of the Treaty of Friendship between New Zealand and Samoa.

The Treaty symbolises the strong and deep relationship between the two countries.  Neither New Zealand nor Samoa has concluded a Treaty of Friendship with any other country and both countries have worked hard to ensure it remains a living and meaningful document. 

The foundation for all these initiatives rests on the close ties between the peoples of Samoa and New Zealand. The latest Census information, released last week, shows that the more than 130,000 people of Samoan descent living in New Zealand account for almost half of the Pacific peoples living here in Aotearoa.

The Samoan family in New Zealand has enriched this country's diverse cultural mix and added its vitality to New Zealand's society and economy.  From literature to art and music, Samoan New Zealanders such as Professor Albert Wendt have contributed much, not only to New Zealand but also to Samoa.  The Samoan comedians Oscar Kightley and his colleagues Mario Gaoa, David Fane, Shimpal Lelisi have produced the successful animated comedy, Bro'Town, on which I will also be making a cameo appearance in the forthcoming series.

Samoan New Zealanders have also contributed much to New Zealand's political and community life.  People such as the late Reverend Leuatea Iusitini Sio, did much for all Pacific immigrant groups from the 1950s as have those who have followed like for example the Reverend Ned Ripley.

Another example is Luamanuvao Hon Winnie Laban, Minister for the Community & Voluntary Sector and Associate Minister of Pacific Island Affairs, the first Pacific woman MP in New Zealand's Parliament.  Many other Samoans serve on local councils and school boards of trustees in New Zealand, particularly in Auckland and Wellington.

As a lawyer, Judge and an Ombudsman in occupations before my present one, I have also seen at first-hand the contribution that Samoan lawyers have made to New Zealand's legal system.

Samoans have given much to New Zealand sport, and in particular to rugby.  Players such as Michael Jones, Olo Brown and Tana Umaga are just a handful of those who have transformed the New Zealand game.  I also know from close experience with the New Zealand Rugby League, how much Samoan players have excelled in that code as well.

The strength of what I mean was on show in the 2007 International Rugby Sevens Tournament. That Samoa won two rounds and finished the series in third place, only a few points behind New Zealand and Fiji—but many ahead of South Africa—was significant achievement.  With the 2007 Rugby World Cup about to be played in France, I'm sure Manu Samoa will make its mark on the field and with the Rugby public. 

I have focused on football but know also, how valued New Zealanders feel about the contributions in their respective areas of Beatrice Faumauina and Rita Fatialofa. 

I also sense that as Samoans living in New Zealand you strive to maintain a strong sense of your Pacific heritage, and you are successful in this endeavour.  The 2006 Census information referred to earlier showed that Samoan people maintain the highest proportion of people who are able to speak their own language.

Yours are among the bright Pacific colours that make New Zealand the distinctive nation it is and I am another to encourage continuance of the Samoan heritage here.  For the grandchildren of those who have settled here—and the Census information showed that 60 percent of Samoan New Zealanders were born here—culture, heritage and language are vital aids in maintaining a sense of who you are and where you come from.

In conclusion, I wish to reiterate how much both Susan and I enjoyed our visit to Samoa and the warmth and hospitality we received while visiting your beautiful homeland.  On that note, we both again welcome you here tonight and invite you to enjoy the hospitality.

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. Fa'afetai tele lava.

No reira, tena koutou, tena koutou, kia ora, kia kaha, tena koutou katoa.