Volunteer Service Abroad Function

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 approaching evening (Sign)

In particular, may I acknowledge you : Gavin Kerr, Farib Sos and Debbie Snelson, President, Chairman and Chief Executive respectively of Volunteer Service Abroad; Eric Levine, President of Students Partnership Worldwide; Ministers of the Crown and Parliamentarians, Luamanuvao Hon Winnie Laban, Hon Judith Tizard and the Hon Darren Hughes; John Hayes; Executive Director of NZAID Peter Adams; VSA volunteers, partners, families and friends.

As VSA's Patron, thank you for inviting my wife Susan and myself to attend this function at these new premises to witness the signing of a Memorandum Of Understanding between Volunteer Service Abroad and Students Partnership Worldwide.

I believe it appropriate as I start, to acknowledge the passing of VSA's founding chairman, Sir Edmund Hillary.  While his advancing age meant that New Zealanders all knew that his day would come, it was still a major shock when we finally received the news of his death on 11 January.

His passing left a gap in the national fabric in the same way, it can I think be said that the fall of a large kauri leaves a gap in the canopy of a forest.

The respect with which Sir Ed was held, was evidenced in the thousands filing past his coffin as he lay in state and who later lined the route as the hearse travelled through Auckland after the State Funeral on 22 January.  Their applause as the hearse passed was a final acknowledgement of a man of so many achievements. 

He was a man who showed both courage and the qualities of a great leader.  He used his standing as a conqueror of the world's highest peak to work tirelessly to better the lives of many people throughout the world.  Yet despite fame, he never lost sight of his roots and remained to his death a humble person dedicated to the service of others.

Dedication to the service of others is what VSA is all about and is perhaps why Sir Edmund chose to give this organisation his support when it was founded in 1962.  I would also like to acknowledge at this time, Margaret Rowe, widow of the late Jim Rowe, who was VSA's second chairman, and who will be made a life member today.

For 46 years, VSA has promoted five core values in its work—building respectful partnerships; working together to create pathways for positive change; diversity and cross-cultural understanding; manaakitanga or the importance of nurturing relationships; and the spirit of volunteering.

I am sure the agreement between VSA and SPW will open up lots of opportunities for both organisations to collaboratively together and advance these core values.

I cannot stress enough the value of the work that VSA volunteers undertake.  Since 1962, more than 2500 New Zealanders have undertaken volunteer service abroad, providing their skills to help others in developing countries throughout the world.

In the past 18 months since being appointed Governor-General in August 2006, I have stressed the matter of New Zealanders embracing and understanding our nation's growing diversity.  The last Census showed that 23 percent of New Zealanders were born overseas.  A century ago, most of those people would have hailed from Britain or Ireland.  Today, those isles provided just 28 percent of foreign-born New Zealanders—the same proportion as from Asia.

This diversity in culture, ethnicity and religious belief will pose many challenges for our country.  By travelling far from home, and offering volunteer service, VSA workers not only act as cogent ambassadors for New Zealand, but also gain a particular insight of the cultures and people of other countries.  In many ways, on their return the VSAers become cross-cultural ambassadors to New Zealand for the values and culture of the people with whom they shared two years of their lives. 

There is also something particularly rewarding and humbling about voluntary service.  It is an opportunity to share skills, energy and experience to help other achieve their goals. By working with communities, a great sense of accomplishment can be gained. As Sir Ed himself once said with reference to his work in Nepal: "My most worthwhile things have been the building of schools and clinics. That has given me more satisfaction than a footprint on a mountain."

And that would seem an appropriate point to close.  I wish VSA all the best in its new premises and to both it and Student Partnerships Worldwide for your new relationship.

In New Zealand's first language, Maori, may I offer greetings and wish everyone good health and fortitude in your endeavours. 

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