State Dinner hosted by the Governor-General of Australia

May I begin by greeting everyone in the languages of the realm of New Zealand - in 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 set (Sign)

May I specifically greet you: Your Excellencies, Major-General Michael Jeffery, Governor-General of Australia, and Mrs Marlena Jeffery; Your Excellency, Dr John Larkindale, New Zealand's High Commissioner to Australia and Mrs Philippa Larkindale; Each of you to follow with your spouses and partners, Chief Justice Gleeson, Justice Kirby, Attorney-General Hon Robert McLelland, Senator Alan Ferguson, Chancellor Dr Allan Hawke, Air Chief Marshal Houston, Mr John O'Neal; Distinguished Guests otherwise, among whom are people related to Susan and I or connected as friends and family from New Zealand and Fiji; Ladies and Gentlemen.

Your Excellency, on behalf my wife Susan and myself, I thank you for the invitation to attend this State Dinner at Government House in Canberra.  It was last in 1993 that a New Zealand Governor-General—my predecessor Hon Dame Catherine Tizard—undertook a State Visit to Australia, so it is a pleasure to be able to keep the ties at the vice-regal level refreshed and as well to renew ties that you and I have had, General Jeffery, in personal meetings, correspondence and telephone communications.

New Zealand's relationship with Australia is not only its closest, but also its most significant.  It is a relationship underpinned by much shared history and common values and institutions. 

In constitutional terms, that shared history began at the very moment that New Zealand was founded.  My first predecessor in office, Capt William Hobson, initially served as a Lt Governor under the authority of the Governor of New South Wales, Lt Col Sir George Gipps, before being appointed Governor in his own right in 1841.

While New Zealand chose not to join the Australian Federation in 1901, a mature relationship has developed and endured.  We are both members of the Commonwealth and share the traditions of a Westminster form of government.

No more important historical connection exists than our shared bond in the events at Gallipoli in 1915.  In two months' time on 25 April, both nations will mark ANZAC Day for the 92^nd time since it was first commemorated in 1916. It was a fruitless campaign that cost the lives of more than 8500 Australians and more than 2700 New Zealanders. While thousands of our young people died in the First World War, which ended 90 years ago this year, it also played a key role in forming our national identities.  To both New Zealanders and Australians, ANZAC Day is a sacred day of national commemoration when we acknowledge the sacrifices of those who fought to protect the values we hold dear. It is not common that two countries should mark the same day of national commemoration but that speaks much of the ties that bind us.

And Australians and New Zealanders have continued to serve in many of the world's troubled places, often under the banner of the United Nations. Such co-operation is made considerably easier due to the close defence relationship between our two Defence Forces.

Those common bonds of history, values and service have seen relationships develop in many other areas.  One of those is the Closer Economic Relations agreement, which came into force 25 years ago on 1 January 1983.  Underpinned by CER, Australia is New Zealand's largest export market and largest source of merchandise imports.  Australia is the top destination for New Zealand investment while Australia is the number one source of foreign investment in New Zealand.  Likewise, Australians comprise our largest group of foreign tourists, while Australia is also New Zealanders' most favoured overseas holiday destination.

The extensive political ties between our two countries have provided a sound foundation on which to manage our bilateral relationship, with frequent formal and informal ministerial meetings.  Where else in the world, for example, would the Prime Minister of one country call on the new Prime Minister of another, at the latter's family home, and without any pomp and ceremony?

There are also regular business and community meetings, such as through the Australia New Zealand Leadership Forum while both national governments, along with several state governments and universities in Australia and New Zealand are partners in the Australia and New Zealand School of Government.  Wearing other hats, I have participated in enterprises of the AIJA affecting judicial administration and APOR, the regional Ombudsman organisation

Not surprisingly for two nations with so much in common, there is also an element of friendly rivalry in many areas.  Indeed in the manner of close relatives, the relationship can have a number of complexities including occasional squabbles.  But, in the manner of families also, an initial flush of spirit will generally dissipate.  An example from literature occurs in a 1936 account called The Desert Column by Ion Llewellyn Idriess in which an Australian soldier at Gallipoli was quoted as follows:

"We were all quite anxious to return to the regiment. So before dawn, I took a walk down to where a squadron of New Zealanders was camped.  I approached as cautiously as I would have had they been Turkish lines, but a figure rose from the shadows at my very feet and said quietly: Aussie, clear out of this while you're healthy. We want no more of our horses stolen."

The spirit to which I refer, has often been on display when New Zealanders and Australians have met on the sports field, as I saw only too well in Sydney on Saturday night when the Waratahs played the Hurricanes.  As for the result last Saturday, I will make no further comment!

All of these and many other connections were well symbolised when we visited the Australian and New Zealand war memorials on Anzac Parade earlier today.  I cannot think of better words to describe the relationship, than those of the Maori proverb upon which the design of the New Zealand Memorial is based—Mau tena kiwai o te kete, maku tenei, which literally translates as "You at the handle, and I at the other handle of the basket."  The proverb speaks volumes, may I suggest, of the deep and co-operative relationship that has allowed us to achieve so much to the benefit of New Zealanders and Australians alike. 

And on that note, I will close in New Zealand's first language, Maori, by offering greetings and wishing you good health and fortitude in your endeavours. No reira, tena koutou, tena koutou, kia ora, kia kaha, tena koutou katoa.