Speech
Sir Peter Blake Emerging Leaders Awards
Ladies and Gentlemen, may 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)
I then wish to acknowledge specifically: you Lady Blake - Pippa, and Sarah Jane Blake; you Sir Ron Carter, Chair of the Selection Panel and Trustee; Brad Cooper, Chair of the Trust; other Trustees of the Sir Peter Blake Trust; Hon Trevor Mallard, Minister of the Crown and Minister for Economic Development, Industry, Regional Development and Sport and Recreation; Past Recipients; and Distinguished Guests.
I speak tonight for the first time in your company as Governor-General, and as most recent Patron of the Sir Peter Blake Trust.
I was delighted to accept the invitation of the Trust to become its Patron because, in my view, like its namesake, the Trust has dedicated itself to furthering New Zealand's contribution to the world and to our environment, through the encouragement of leadership - in a way that deserves support.
It would be difficult to think of more worthy objectives. Encouraging and then identifying outstanding leadership is critical for New Zealand. Every other country needs good leaders to ensure a healthy and compassionate future for our people.
There is a need to nurture good leaders for tomorrow, and as well to endorse the leaders of today.
This mixing of needs is the chemistry of this evening's event. We are here to recognise six New Zealanders who have already displayed significant and beyond the ordinary leadership, and who have demonstrated much promise of further realising their potential as leaders of our country.
They are people who have exhibited the sometimes indefinable qualities of what connotes leadership. Those qualities have less to do with fame, ego or personal ambition, but much to do with commitment to a cause, courage and self-sacrifice - and respect for other people.
This evening will also centre upon what is becoming a signal recognition for leadership, the Blake Medal. This medal, which was first awarded in 2005 to Sir John Anderson, and in 2006 to Stephen Tindall, recognises that duality of admirable New Zealander who has demonstrated outstanding leadership.
I look forward to joining the excitement when all seven award winning New Zealanders are identified later this evening.
I began speaking in all the New Zealand realm languages. May I close, especially so because this is Maori Language Week, by speaking in Maori, issuing greetings and wishing everyone good health and fortitude in your endeavours.
No reira, tena koutou, tena koutou, kia ora, kia kaha, tena koutou katoa