Rau rangatira mā, e huihui nei, tēnei aku mihi nui ki a koutou. Kia ora tātou katoa.
Your Excellency The Honourable Sam Mostyn, Your Excellency Mr Simeon Beckett, and all distinguished guests gathered here this afternoon – tēnā koutou katoa.
I have been deeply moved by the warmth and generosity of the welcome that you have extended to me, Dr Davies, and my delegation. It is a particular pleasure to be here in Australia for the first time in my official capacity as Governor-General of New Zealand.
Australia and New Zealand share a bond of singular strength and depth – bound, as we are, by our geography, histories, institutions, values, and, above all, by the closeness of our peoples.
The freedom of movement between our countries remains one of the great treasures of our relationship. Generations of New Zealanders have made their homes here in Australia, and vice versa – making profound and lasting contributions across their respective communities. Indeed, Your Excellency, I understand your own husband has New Zealand roots – proving that Australia continues to make excellent choices.
We are nations that work together in virtually every sphere. Our governments collaborate closely on education, health, defence, security, trade, climate resilience, disaster response, science, and research. We consult instinctively because our interests, our responsibilities, and our futures are so deeply intertwined.
And increasingly, that shared future asks much of us both.
We meet at a time of considerable geopolitical uncertainty – a time when trusted friendships and principled action have never been more important. In facing common challenges across our region, particularly within our Pacific family, I know that Australia and New Zealand continue to stand alongside one another with a shared sense of responsibility and care.
Yet even as we look outward, we also continue the important work of looking inward – of reconciling ourselves with our pasts and shaping more just futures. I want to acknowledge with deep respect the First Nations peoples of this country, the world’s oldest continuing culture, and the enduring custodianship they have exercised over this ancient land for tens of thousands of years.
I was profoundly moved by the Welcome to Country ceremony extended to me and my delegation yesterday, which was both generous and deeply grounding. I look forward to my on-country walk this afternoon, and to visiting Mudgin-Gal Women's Aboriginal Corporation tomorrow in Sydney.
Across my term as Governor-General, I continue to be reminded that reconciliation must not simply be an idea – but lived and enacted, every day, through listening, truth-telling, and the willingness and courage to imagine the lives, histories, and experiences of others.
Earlier this year, I had the privilege of visiting Gallipoli for Anzac Day commemorations. Being in that place, looking across those ridgelines and beaches, I was profoundly moved by the memory of those young men facing such relentless horror and fear – and so many of whom did not return home.
The friendship forged there – under impossible conditions – became something sacred. Brothers in arms, certainly, but also something more enduring still: peoples who came to understand that our futures would always, in some profound sense, be shared. It therefore meant a great deal to me to lay a wreath at the Australian War Memorial this morning, in remembrance of all Anzacs who served, suffered, and died together.
There is a famous whakataukī in te reo Māori which says: ‘He aha te mea nui o te ao? He tangata, he tangata, he tangata. What is the most important thing in the world? It is people, it is people, it is people.’ And here we find the essence and foundation of our relationship – not in treaties or institutions, important though they are, but in the friendships, marriages, families, communities, colleagues, and neighbours whose lives are woven and strengthened across the Tasman every day.
Your Excellency, I wish to end by noting that, when your predecessor, General David Hurley, visited New Zealand at the end of his term, he gently reminded us that, constitutionally, New Zealand remains able and welcome to become part of Australia whenever we should please. May I say how grateful we are to continue receiving that generous standing invitation. And, on this occasion, might I respectfully note that the opposite also stands – and that should you ever wish, Australia is always equally welcome to join Aotearoa New Zealand.
Thank you once again for hosting us here today, and for this visit which means so much to me. Finally, Your Excellency, I wish you my sincerest best wishes for the remainder of your term as Governor-General.
Kia ora huihui tātou katoa.