State Dinner for the President of Chile

Greetings, Ladies and Gentlemen and in the languages of the  realm of New Zealand, English, Maori, Cook Island or Raraotongan Maori, Niuean and Tokelauan -  Kia Ora, Kia Orana, Fakalofa lahi atu. 

Your Excellency President Michelle Bachelet, Prime Minister Rt Hon Helen Clark, Minister of Conservation and Minister of Ethnic Affairs, Hon Chris Carter, Leader of the Opposition Dr Don Brash, Your Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen.

Your Excellency - I want first to register thanks for your visit to us in New Zealand.  My wife Susan and I have the privilege to declare that to you, on behalf of all New Zealanders.

The relationship between our two countries is marked by warmth and harmony.  In recent years in particular, there have been frequent expressions of this.  For examples the number of top-level visits between our two countries has been constant.  Among them has been the reciprocal visits undertaken between our predecessors, President Ricardo Lagos and Dame Silvia Cartwright.  There is now your own visit here after your assumption of office just a few months ago, to further symbolise the closeness of our countries' friendship.

Your Excellency, New Zealand takes great pride in the fact that the diplomatic relationship with Chile is our longest diplomatic relationship with a South American country.  Perhaps it is because we have much in common - a connection with nature, with culture, and a global outlook, that relate well to each other.  If you add to that list our recent engagements in political and trade matters, culminating in the conclusion of the agreements you have formalised today, it can be said that New Zealand and Chile are kindred spirits.

It is important for nations like ours to forge close bonds.  In a way, we are isolated, on the fringes of the ocean in the Southern Hemisphere.  But our example, Madame President, shows that distance is no obstacle to warm relations.  In fact, the water which separates us is also what connects us.  Our countries are both guardians of the Southern Oceans.  This is a substantial responsibility indeed and one which we must shoulder in the interests not only of ourselves but others.

Your Excellency, it can be said that we have worked hard to build the friendship and that we have done creditably.  It is to be recalled though that the future of the relationship will rest with the younger generation in each of our countries.  I am therefore pleased to note that the successful working holiday scheme is increasing in size, and that there is room for several hundred Chileans to study here.  These connections extend to higher-level academic exchanges and to those between researchers and people in the arts.  There is a need to continue to broaden that base of contacts. 

There are many aspects to consider building on, for example in education, tourism and biotechnology.  Your recent attendance at APEC will have underlined some of the opportunities in intellectual property rights commitments, life sciences and environmental protection -  to take just some examples.

This evening's event is principally one of registering connections.  There are two matters as to that, the first being the presence this evening of people of Chilean origin who have made their home in New Zealand.  The second is the connection between Chile and New Zealand through Polynesia.  Our countries both have an oceanic setting and responsibilities to places beyond the mainland - New Zealand towards Rarotonga, Niue and Tokelau - Chile towards Rapanui or Easter Island.  That linkage is more than symbolic - the greeting Io Orana exchanged on Rapanui is reflected in Kia Orana in the Cook Islands and in Kia Ora in New Zealand.

Lastly Madame President may I acknowledge the vitality you have brought to your first months in office and the vitality you have applied to the relationship with New Zealand.  When you signed the visitors' book here yesterday you were kind enough to refer to Chile respecting New Zealand's sustainable developments and your support for strengthening relations.  In closing may I reciprocate in the fullest measure.  May I ask you, too, to reflect that when your aircraft leaves in a short time very near the tarmac on the opposite side of Lyall is a moai a stone figure fashioned by a Rapanui carver Tevo Pakarati and that it looks out beyond the peninsula towards Easter Island where there are other moai looking in this direction.  May that spirit of connection guide and make safe your journey homewards.

Ladies and gentlemen, may I ask you to rise for a toast.

Her Excellency President Michelle Bachelet, President of the Republic of Chile.