United Way New Zealand reception

Ladies and Gentlemen, I greet you in the languages of the realm of New Zealand - English, Maori, Cook Island Maori, Niuean, Tokelauan and New Zealand Sign Language.

Kia Ora, Kia Orana, Fakalofa Lahi Atu, Taloha Ni and (Sign)

May I specifically greet you: Don Oliver, Chief Executive of United Way New Zealand and our MC for the evening; Peter Griffiths, United Way Board Member and Chief Executive of BP New Zealand; Your Worship Kerry Prendergast, Vice-Patron of United Way and Mayor of Wellington; and Your Excellency William McCormick, Ambassador of the United States; Rt Hon Jim Bolger, Former Prime Minister and Former Ambassador to the United States.

Thank you for the opportunity to host this reception for United Way New Zealand at Government House.

It was with pleasure that I accepted the invitation to be Patron of United Way New Zealand, upon being appointed Governor-General last year.

I was pleased to do so because I was persuaded that this organisation offers a critical link to match the goodwill and generosity of New Zealanders with those in our communities who need additional support.

Established internationally in 1887 and active in New Zealand since 1974, I am advised that United Way has helped direct the skills, time and resources of people in a way that will best help others. It does this in a number of ways—by working directly with individuals, with groups of people, and with businesses, all who have a desire to give back to the community in whatever capacity they can.  Often those resources are financial, but they can also be reflected in voluntary time and the provision of skills.

I am told that in the last year, for example, United Way New Zealand made financial grants worth about $1 million to about 180 human welfare charities.  The organisation also boasts about 150 trained volunteers representing it in 12 regions throughout New Zealand, supported by a small national office of full-time professionals based in Auckland.

By pooling individual contributions, United Way maximises funding to ensure that charities throughout New Zealand are provided with financial assistance each year. This unique method capitalises on the power of collective effort and saves the donor from the frustration of having to choose which charity to support. 

So often when large organisations set aside monies for charitable purposes, the cost of administering the grant absorbs a significant proportion of the funds that could have been spent helping people.  First there is the legal costs of establishing the trust board, paying for secretarial services, advertising for grant applications and then deciding how to spend the money—the list goes on.

I am advised that United Way, with its highly efficient combination of a small paid staff and large numbers of trained volunteers, guarantees that at least 90 cents in every dollar is received by charities.  That is a record that United Way, its staff, volunteers and trustees can be rightly proud of.

Increasingly United Way is managing the complex task of corporate social responsibility for large organisations.  Not only can it offer its services in administering grants, it can also match up corporate partners, who want to offer the time and resources of their staff, with the appropriate charities. 

New Zealand is a humane and inclusive society—one whose people are, I believe, characterised by compassion and a desire for equality. Yet, we also live in a time when we have many demands on our time and that can create challenges for even the most well-intentioned people to contribute fully to their communities.

Despite these challenges, United Way has successfully encouraged more and more New Zealanders to donate, while finding ways to enhance the experience of giving to, and of engaging with, our communities.

The efforts of United Way, and its network of dedicated volunteers, are helping improve the lives of a great many New Zealanders in need and I commend you for your efforts to this end.  You do indeed help others to help themselves.

I began speaking in all the New Zealand realm languages.  May I close by speaking in Maori issuing greetings and wishing you good health and fortitude in your endeavours.

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