Tui Glen Rehabilitation Centre

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 morning [sign].

May I specifically greet you: Frank Schwammer, the chair of the board of trustees of the Integrated Neurological Foundation;  Hon David Cunliffe, Minister of Health; Hon Chris Carter, Minister of Education, Your Worship Bob Harvey, Mayor of Waitakere City; members of Parliament, Hon Tau Henare, Paula Bennett and Lynne Pillay; distinguished guests otherwise, ladies and gentlemen.

Thank you for inviting my wife Susan and I to attend the opening of the Tui Glen Rehabilitation Centre here in Henderson this morning.

I have been asked to officially open the Centre and just before I do, I would like to comment briefly on the Centre's work and that of the Integrated Neurological Foundation.

I am sure everyone will be pleased to be back in your old home, particularly now that it has been so beautifully modernised and expanded. I am told that it is three times its original size and that you are also set to triple the programme.

I don't need to tell you that this is a unique place.  It is the only centre in the country where adults have access to this form of neurological rehabilitation after a stroke, or if they have either Parkinson's Disease or Multiple Sclerosis.

Each year 3,000 New Zealanders suffer a stroke. And at any one time, there are 50,000 people who may be debilitated by stroke or Parkinson's disease.

Sadly, as our population ages, these numbers are on the increase.

A stroke can happen to anyone at any time without any warning. When it does, it has a major effect not only on the individual, but also on their family, often bringing major financial problems because of loss of income.

This centre offers a way forward for those people. It provides them with hope, and it empowers them with increased physical and mental capacity.   

The result is more independence, greater self respect and enhanced dignity.

A large number of people and organisations have helped in getting this Foundation established and doing its work.

But there is one man without whose vision and commitment this centre would not exist - and that man is Frank Schwammer.

The story of how Frank got involved is a most inspiring one.  

Sixteen years ago, he was acting as the official driver for some visitors from the Peto Institute in Hungary who had come here to talk at a conference about Conductive Education, the institute's unique scientific method of increasing the mobility of people with motor disorders.

In his capacity as driver, Frank found himself at a garden party on the NorthShore, with about 100 families of children with cerebral palsy.

Some of those families were able to visit the Peto Institute, and as a result four centres were set up in New Zealand.

Frank founded the Auckland Conductive Education Foundation to work with children with cerebral palsy.

But he realised that there was a huge demand for effective rehabilitation for adults and he formed what is now the Integrated Neurological Rehabilitation Foundation.

He is, I am told, now working very actively working to set up centres like this one in other parts of the country. 

Frank I hear has a saying which goes:" I always aim for the sky. You never reach it - but you get a long way up."

May I say that you are a long way up, Frank - and I would like to add thanks for the enormous amount of work you have done - and continue to do.

What Frank's work, and that of the many people that make the Foundation and this centre so special, is the spirit of volunteerism.  Volunteering has its own intrinsic value to the individual, but more importantly it is the 'glue' that gives strength to our communities, binding us together.  I therefore congratulate everyone involved in this project for past and ongoing contribution. 

In supporting worthy causes, every bit of effort helps.  As the well known South African Archbishop, Desmond Tutu once said:  "Do your little bit of good where you are; it's those little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world."

On that note, it is with much pleasure that I officially declare the Tui Glen Rehabilitation Centre open - and wish everyone good health and fortitude in your endeavours - and in New Zealand's first language Maori:

No reira, tena koutou, tena koutou, kia ora, kia kaha, tena koutou katoa.