Speech
Wellington Writers Walk Quotation Unveiling
E nga mana, e nga reo, e nga iwi o te motu e huihui nei, tēnei aku mihi māhana ki a koutou. Kia ora tātou katoa. Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, warm greetings to you all.
I specifically acknowledge: Rosemary Wildblood, Chair of the Wellington Writers Walk Committee and your fellow Committee members; Ian McKinnon, Deputy Mayor of Wellington; and the four writers being honoured today.
As joint Patrons of the Wellington Writers Walk, it gives Janine and me great pleasure to be here for this very special event honouring some of New Zealand's most talented writers. We were pleased to learn that Joy Cowley, Elizabeth Knox, Jack Lasenby, and Sir James McNeish have been made the newest additions to the Walk.
As the Vice-Regal couple, and the representatives of all New Zealanders, we take a keen interest in all aspects of our diverse and vibrant communities. The arts, and particularly the literary community, hold a unique place in the history of our country. We have been home to world renowned authors since the earliest days of the foundation of our country. We have had, and still continue to have, writers that have provided a commentary on New Zealand and our culture. Their writing reflects snapshots of our economic, social and cultural heritage. Their writing records events, emotions and experiences that might otherwise have been forgotten. Their writing shows that our country is rich with talent, and the writers being honoured today are testament to that.
The Wellington Writers Walk, set up in 2002 by the Wellington Branch of the New Zealand Society of Authors, honours outstanding New Zealand writers who've had a special connection to Wellington. The concept of the Walk is in perfect harmony with the special cultural character of this city.
Janine and I feel privileged to be involved in this, the fourth, instalment launch. The three previous segments of the Walk, each with a set of quotations, were unveiled by one of my predecessors. The Wellington Writers Walk recognises and celebrates New Zealand stories, poems and play. The Walk is set in a marvellous urban setting. It introduces and promotes New Zealand literature to visitors to the city, particularly overseas visitors.
It seems fitting to quote one of New Zealand’s and Wellington’s great writers, Katherine Mansfield. She spoke of the skill of writing in a letter to her brother-in-law in 1921. It read:
“It’s a queer thing how craft comes into writing. I mean down to the details. Par example. In Miss Brill I choose not only the length of every sentence, but even the sound of every sentence. I choose the rise and fall of every paragraph to fit her, and to fit her on that day at that very moment. After I’ve written it I read it aloud – numbers of times – just as one would play over a musical composition – trying to get nearer and nearer to the expression of Miss Brill – until it fitted her.”
And Katherine Mansfield is of course one of those who features in the now eleven-years-old project. I commend the Walk Committee which manages the Walk; and facilitates sponsorships, chooses the writers to be honoured and selects quotations that will delight and intrigue both the local community and visitors to the capital.
As we move towards the unveiling of the quotations in a short time, I want to thank all of those who have contributed both financially, and in time and effort, to these new additions to the Wellington Writers Walk. Your efforts give Wellingtonians and visitors alike inspiration and words to reflect upon as they walk along our magnificent waterfront.
Finally, as Governor-General, on behalf of Janine and all New Zealanders, I wish to thank the four writers being honoured today for your contributions to the cultural and social fabric of our country. With that said, it is now time to publicly acknowledge the four writers being honoured today.
The first writer is best known as a much loved children's writer of international standing. She has also written adult novels and poetry, and her quotation on the Walk is a poem she wrote about Wellington. I am very pleased to formally congratulate Joy Cowley as one of the four featured writers who will now be added to the Walk.
The second writer started out as a writer of novels for adults, including the highly acclaimed Vintner’s Luck. However she too, has branched out into writing for a younger audience, using her imagination to great effect. Please acknowledge Elizabeth Knox who will also be added to the walk this evening.
The third writer is yet another Children's Writer, whose books are perennial finalists in New Zealand book awards. His quotation on the walk is taken from his novel, The Conjuror, and given his habit of writing about other worlds that yet have a very New Zealand flavour, it seems entirely appropriate that his quotation should be sited on a pole that might sometimes temporarily disappear. Ladies and gentleman, join me in acknowledging Jack Lasenby.
Our fourth writer has seen his long career reach a new pinnacle in recent years, having received, in quick succession, the Creative New Zealand Berlin Residency, the Prime Minister's Award for Literary Achievement and most recently, in his eightieth year, the conferring of a knighthood for services to NZ literature. Please join me in acknowledging Sir James McNeish.