Visit to the Ethnic Council of Manawatu

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: Anirud Sharma, President; Vivian Stichbury, Vice-President; Gerald Wong, Treasurer; Elizabeth Paine, Acting Secretary; Kevin Reilly, Trustee; centre staff; distinguished guests otherwise, ladies and gentlemen, greetings to you all.

Thank you for inviting Susan and myself to visit the Ethnic Council of Manawatu today.  Particular thanks to the students of Palmerston North Intermediate Normal School for your waiata and to those from Freyberg High School who will entertain us later.

I speak to you today not only in my capacity as Governor-General but also as someone who, while born and bred in New Zealand, is of Fiji Indian ancestry and is therefore keenly aware of the needs of migrants to this country.  My wife, Susan, likewise emigrated here from Australia.  I also know this area well having served here as a District Court judge in the 1980s.

All New Zealanders are either migrants or the descendents of migrants.  We vary from those who arrived in canoes from elsewhere in the Pacific hundreds of years ago, to those, such as myself, whose parents travelled here, to many here today who were born overseas.  All, however, were in search of a better life.

But New Zealand's migrant mix is rapidly changing.  In 1996, the Census records that just 17 percent of those living here were born overseas.  In ten years, that figure has jumped to almost 23 percent by the time of last year's Census.

Likewise, our nation's ethnic mix has continued to change.  While New Zealanders of European or Maori descent continue to make up the largest groups, those of Asian and Pacific ancestry are the fastest growing groups.  The number of people describing themselves as Asian jumped by almost 50 percent between the 2000 and 2006 Censes to more than 354,000 people. 

This increasing cultural, linguistic and ethnic diversity enriches our nation.  Bringing different perspectives, not only opens the eyes of the new migrants but also those who were born here and call New Zealand home.

But it also brings challenges for everyone.  For the migrant, there are the difficulties of understanding the New Zealand culture and "fitting in" while still holding true to important cultural and religious beliefs and traditions.

Cross-cultural communication can be, as you would all know, a minefield.  Sometimes, with hindsight, the outcomes can appear comical.  Sometimes, the outcomes can be tragic.

Imagine a child who turns up to school for a pot-luck function without any food.  The child did so because a note sent home to her parents said the children should "bring a plate" to the event.  That the phrase means bring food to most New Zealanders, was lost on the child's parents who thought she simply needed a plate from which to eat.  It's a humorous story but for the child concerned, a very embarrassing situation to be in.

For those whose whakapapa to New Zealand goes back more than a couple of generations, there maybe concerns about religious and cultural practices of new migrants that may appear to conflict with New Zealand values.

It is for these and many more reasons that organisations such as the Ethnic Council of Manawatu are invaluable.  Your centre acts as a 'gateway' for migrants and refugees to your region that need support and information to ease their transition into New Zealand.

I'm advised your organisation consists of 25 ethnic groups, with each contributing two delegates to your Council.  I understand that your employment facilitator and settlement support co-ordinator positions have been funded by government agencies and with other funding you also employ two support staff.  Such wide representation and backing is one key to your success. 

But the heart of any successful organisation such as this is the support of its volunteers, who give their time and energy to assist migrants and refugees in adjusting to their new lives in New Zealand.  Your work not only assists those new to this country but also raises wider community awareness of the needs of migrants and refugees.

You are all to be praised for you work that contributes to a successful and healthy community. 

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.