Sir Denis Blundell Police Cadet Wing medal presentation ceremony

I begin by greeting everyone in the languages of the realm of New Zealand, in English, Māori, Cook Island Māori, Niuean, Tokelauan and New Zealand Sign Language.

Greetings, Kia Ora, Kia Orana, Fakalofa Lahi Atu, Taloha Ni and as it is the afternoon (Sign).
I then specifically greet you: Howard Broad, Police Commissioner and members of the Executive; Terence Gardiner, Acting National Manager, Training; Members of the Sir Denis Blundell Police Cadet Wing; Distinguished Guests otherwise; Ladies and Gentlemen. 

Thank you for inviting me to attend this 35th Anniversary of the Sir Denis Blundell Police Cadet Wing.

As Governor-General, it is with great pleasure that I am here today to honour those that begun their service 35 years ago, when my predecessor, Sir Denis Blundell, held this office.

At the outset, I should mention that my connections with the New Zealand Police are ones that have lasted through my career commencing as a prosecutor in the Crown Solicitors Office in Auckland through being a lawyer in general practice in the late 1970s and being a member of the panel engaged by the Police Association, through being a Judge and Ombudsman each for a decade.  Each of these phases generated many interactions with the Police.  In the GG role, in addition to having Police look after my daily movements, I have been pleased to be Patron of Police Recruit Wing 247 – which I undertook in 2007.

Today I have been given the privilege of presenting a long service and good conduct medal to each of the remaining 14 serving members in the New Zealand Police present today. Before doing so, I would like to speak on the dedicated service you have given to the New Zealand Police and, to our country’s people.

I am sure many of you will remember, in December 1976 your wing attended a graduation ceremony at Government House hosted by Sir Denis Blundell.

Although I am not aware of the words Sir Denis Blundell provided as you started your careers with the New Zealand Police, I am sure that it would not have been too dissimilar in sentiment to what I said to Police Recruit Wing 247 at their commencement in September 2007.

What I said partly went as follows:-

“When you complete your training as Police Officers, you will embark on a challenging career.  As a former lawyer and judge, I know that sometimes that such work can be traumatic.  But I also know it can be highly rewarding, with the opportunity to learn new skills, to meet new people and to make a positive difference to society.”

Looking back on your time in the Police, I am sure you can say there are times that have been particularly traumatic. The involvement of members of your wing in incidents such as the Mount Erebus plane crash in 1979, the Rainbow Warrior Bombing in 1985, and the Bali Bombings in 2002 certainly fall into that category.

However, you have also been involved in highly rewarding work that has made a positive difference to society. That work has included policing at the 1990 Commonwealth Games in Auckland and the visits to New Zealand by Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, in 1995 and 2002.

On an international level, members of the Sir Denis Blundell wing have also been involved in restoring peace and stability in countries like Afghanistan, East Timor and the Solomon Islands. 

During your time with the Police, you have upheld the oath you made all those years ago. That oath, as you will recall, requires you to, without favour or affection, malice or ill-will, keep the peace, prevent offences and use your skills and knowledge to undertake your duties according to the law.

The medals that you are to receive recognise 35 years of honouring that oath. They also symbolise your commitment to serving New Zealand’s communities.

Archbishop Desmond Tutu, the well known and influential South African leader who, over his life, has been active in the defence of human rights, recently commented on the act of service. He said:-

“Serve others. The unfailing recipe for happiness and success is to want the good of others.” 

Each Officer receiving a medal today has served others and contributed to the wellbeing of New Zealand and its people.

The founder of modern policing, Sir Robert Peel, a well-known British Prime Minister in the 1830s, developed nine principles of policing, which will be well-known to everyone here. Those principles continue to set the standard for modern policing, with the most famous being: “The Police are the public and the public are the police.”

On behalf of the people of New Zealand, I thank each one of you for the service you have rendered and the way in which you have upheld yourself as a trusted member of the community, and of the New Zealand Police.

And on that note of thanks, I will close in New Zealand’s first language Māori, by offering everyone greetings and wishing you all good health and fortitude in your endeavours.

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