Te Whainga Aronui - The Council for the Humanities Congress 2007

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)

Specifically I greet you: Hon Steve Maharey, in this context, Minister of Education; Professor Ken Strongman, Chair of Te Whainga Aronui - The Council for the Humanities; Professor Pat Walsh, Vice-Chancellor of Victoria University; and Professor Piri Sciascia, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Mori); Distinguished guests otherwise, ladies and gentlemen.

I register thanks for this opportunity to officially open the Te Whainga Aronui - Council for the Humanities Congress 2007. It is a pleasure to do so, both as Patron to the Council, and as Governor-General.

I would suggest that at no time in New Zealand's history, has the discussion of culture, national identity, and how we position ourselves globally, been more relevant than it is today.

This is because New Zealand is in the process of transitioning to a multicultural nation. In this setting, it is perhaps unnecessary for me to labour the point that we are increasingly defined by our diversity.

Suffice to say that each year, the colours of New Zealand become more varied.  Whereas 30 years ago, 86 percent of New Zealanders identified themselves as European, today with the benefit of a Census last year, just over two thirds of New Zealanders identify in that way. Just under a third identified as Maori, Asian, Pacific, with other ethnic groups or simply as a "New Zealander".  One in 10 identified with more than one ethnic group.

I feel privileged to hold office as Governor-General at this time of New Zealand's cultural evolution for a number of reasons.

First, because multiculturalism is a part of my own life. I am a New Zealander, born in this country of  Fiji-Indian descent and I strive to maintain satisfying ties to my ancestry. I hope that my own experiences and history can help contribute in some way to the national conversation about what it means to be a New Zealander. 

Secondly, as Governor-General, much of my time is spent interacting with New Zealanders from all walks of life, celebrating and recognising a diverse range of communities. Because of this, I am privy to a heightened appreciation of the many cultures that make up New Zealand's population and how they contribute to who we are as a people.

Finally, it is a privilege to be part of a period in our history when New Zealand is actively embracing multiculturalism in a way that others around the world look to emulate.

I believe that it can be said with growing confidence that, as a nation, New Zealanders are slowly becoming better equipped to celebrate what each of us have in common. This, in turn, allows us to celebrate what makes each of us different.

This suggests to me that the possibilities of who we may become are endless. Our increasing diversity gives us as people the mandate to harness all our cultures of origin to fashion a shared national consciousness.

The much missed contemporary New Zealand historian, the late Dr Michael King, made some reference to this gradual evolution of a new national identity in The Penguin History of New Zealand, particularly with respect to how the European settlers began to view their culture. He wrote of:

"A growing conviction among Pakeha is that their culture, like that of Maori, is no longer the same as the cultures of origin from which it sprang - that it has become, in fact, a second indigenous culture."

May I suggest that we can allow our own distinct culture to emerge by being open to new influences and by being receptive to change.

As many in this room will know, a change of this kind in New Zealander's worldview began in the humanities sometime ago.  Whereas authors and artists such as Katherine Mansfield and Frances Hodgkins were drawn to life in Europe, later writers and artists such as Frank Sargeson, Rita Angus and Sir Toss Woollaston chose to stay in New Zealand and develop their work in a way that was distinctive to this country.

I hope that you will all engage in the discussions of our national identity during the Congress and perhaps leave with an enlightened view on New Zealand's future. I wish you all the best in this.

I began speaking in all the country's languages.  May I close just in Maori issuing you best wishes and fortitude in that endevour.