Variety - The Children's Charity

May I begin by greeting everyone in the languages of the realm of New Zealand, in English, Māori, Cook Island Māori, Niuean, Tokelauan and New Zealand Sign Language.

Greetings, Kia Ora, Kia Orana, Fakalofa Lahi Atu, Taloha Ni and as it is evening [sign].

May I specifically greet you: Pam Fauvel, President of the Variety New Zealand Board of Directors; Lorraine Taylor, CEO of Variety New Zealand; Distinguished Guests otherwise; Ladies and Gentlemen. 

It is with pleasure that my wife Susan and I welcome you to Government House Auckland for this ceremony to mark the 20th Anniversary Celebration of Variety and for the launch of the Variety Foundation Fund. 

At the outset, I would first like to add wholehearted congratulations to everyone involved in the organisation for reaching this important milestone. If Variety was a “natural person” rather than, to use the lawyer’s term, a “legal person”, then turning twenty would mark the end of the last legal impediments of childhood. In that sense, it can be said that Variety in New Zealand has well and truly come of age.

As is well known, the Patron of Variety New Zealand is my predecessor as Governor-General, Dame Catherine Tizard who unfortunately could not be with us this evening. It is fitting that Government House hosts such a celebratory occasion for a charity that has contributed so well to the fabric of New Zealand society over the past twenty years.

There is much to celebrate about the life to date of Variety in New Zealand.  Established in 1989, Variety has, I am told, distributed about $11.7 million to our country’s sick, disabled and disadvantaged children since then.

Raising what works out to be almost $600,000 a year is an enormous achievement. I wish to commend everyone involved for their commitment and dedication to the nurturing of New Zealand’s children – particularly to those children who may be disadvantaged.

I have been pleased to learn of the wide range of programmes run by Variety. Each programme makes a tangible difference in the lives of many Kiwi kids throughout the country. The initiatives vary, from gifting deserving children bikes, to funding “Liberty Swings” in playgrounds – one of which I had the pleasure of officially opening in Island Bay in wellington in October 2007 and I can still bring to mind the look of absolute joy of the boy in his wheelchair having his first-ever swing.

The arrival in our family of our first two grandchildren this year is a timely reminder of the individual needs of children. The enormous amount of time, love, finances and dedication it takes to raise a child cannot be forgotten.

Oscar Wilde once said that: “The best way to make children good is to make them happy.” The work of Variety – The Children’s Charity, in essence, is dedicated to the happiness of those children who may not have had the benefit of an equal platform to start on. Whether that has been because of a disability, an illness, or financial hardship, children in this position are in considerable need of a “leg-up”.

Variety is essential in this endeavour to encourage and support those children to overcome difficulties. Variety has been an integral part of New Zealand society for the past twenty years and without its efforts, a large gap would indeed exist in our community.

This evening I have endeavoured to strike a note of respect and gratitude for what you in Variety have achieved in the first twenty years and a note of positive anticipation for what lies ahead during the next twenty years when you will celebrate your 40th birthday.

Once again I add congratulations on this great achievement.   Your efforts have helped make our country a better place.

On that note of thanks and anticipation, I would like to close in our country’s first language by offering everyone greetings and wishing you good health and fortitude in your endeavours.

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