Speech
T4T High Tea
May I begin by greeting everyone 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 as it is the afternoon (Sign)
May I specifically greet you: Neville Strong, President of the NZ Down Syndrome Association and your fellow committee members Carmen Slater and Carol Nesdale; Zandra Vaccarino and Linda te Kaat, National Executive Officer and National Administrator respectively; Distinguished Guests otherwise; Ladies and Gentlemen; Boys and Girls.
It is with great pleasure that my wife Susan and I welcome you all to Government House in Wellington for this High Tea to mark World Down Syndrome Day. While the Day is normally marked on March 21— to symbolise the triplication of the 21st chromosome—as that day is Good Friday and a public holiday, it was decided to hold the event today.
As Patron of the New Zealand Down Syndrome Association, it is a pleasure to host this event, having held a similar gathering at Government House in Auckland last year.
Drinking tea is a social activity that millions of people throughout the world, of all different cultures, nationalities and social groups, enjoy every day. Indeed, in recent years, drinking tea has enjoyed a resurgence of popularity.
And just like drinking tea, Down Syndrome is also common. No-one really knows why some people have the extra chromosome. It occurs in all races and has never been linked with particular foods, actions or pollution. Down Syndrome is never anyone's fault—it just happens. And in New Zealand, one or more babies is born every week with Down Syndrome.
Through the patronage of the New Zealand Down Syndrome Association and these events, as well as supporting events such as the Wellington Down Syndrome Association's Frances Clarke Memorial Awards, Susan and I have seen first-hand how those with Down Syndrome can achieve despite the hurdles they face.
And many of those hurdles are not of their own making. People with Down Syndrome can achieve great things and make a significant contribution to society if the community will give them the chance.
By being inclusive the community can support those with Down Syndrome to participate in every aspect of life—school, sport, recreation, work, independently living. One of those people is Michael Holdsworth, who Susan and I have got to know and who has provided the piano accompaniment today.
What people with Down Syndrome and their families need is not condescension and judgment, but more support, especially during the critical childhood learning years.
I would like to commend the New Zealand Down Syndrome Association for its work in supporting people with Down Syndrome and their families and for advocating to ensure their rights and needs are recognised.
A few weeks ago, my wife Susan and I paid our first State Visit to Australia. During a visit to Canberra, we visited the New Zealand Memorial, which symbolises the links between our two nations and those who have died defending our countries.
The memorial is in the shape of a flax basket handle and is based on the Maori proverb: "Mau tena kiwai o te kete, maku tenei" which literally translates as "You at that handle, and I at this handle of the basket".
The proverb concerns sharing of responsibilities and joint effort to achieve a common goal and I believe it symbolises well how, if the community supports those with Down Syndrome and their families, how together we can all achieve greater and better things.
And on that note, I will I close in 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.
After the formalities are completed and we've had our tea and cucumber sandwiches, I would like to invite you to wander around the public areas of Government House this afternoon. This building opened 98 years ago and has housed 19 Governors or Governors-General and houses many artefacts and art works that reflect New Zealand's history and culture. Thank you.