World Bowls Championships

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 the morning  (Sign)

May I specifically greet you: Betty Collins, President of World Bowls; you Kerry Clark, Chief Executive of Bowls New Zealand and Chair of Bowls Events New Zealand; Martin Christensen, President of Bowls New Zealand; Norm Withers, Deputy Mayor of Christchurch; Distinguished Guests otherwise, Competitors and supporters; Ladies and Gentlemen.

Thank you for inviting my wife Susan and myself to attend the 2008 World Bowls Championships here in Christchurch. 

As Governor-General and Patron of Bowls New Zealand, I have been asked for formally open these championships, and just before doing so, I would like briefly speak as to the significance and importance of your sport.

I would like to welcome all the many hundreds of competitors, and support teams, to Christchurch and to New Zealand for these championships.  It is 20 years since the World Championships were last held in New Zealand but the first time that the men's and women's championships have been held together.

In particular, I welcome the 23 teams from overseas that will compete against the teams from New Zealand in these championships, which are internationally recognised as the "Olympics" of lawn bowls. 

There was a time when lawn bowls was largely seen as a past time that was the preserve of retired folk, who enjoyed a quiet game over a few rounds of what in many parts of New Zealand are called "a few quiets".

The reality was always far from that and those who play the game have always been keen athletes and competitors.  But in recent years bowls has gained an even stronger following as players from all sorts of ages and backgrounds have participated.  It is one of the few sports where you can have represented players from as young as 17 through to those in their sixties and beyond.  Rarely do you have a sport where sons and daughters can compete with their parents and grandparents and that must surely be a good thing.

The sport, which is even more competitive, has also moved from being a game largely played in Commonwealth countries to one that is gaining a wide international profile.  I am advised that this is the first World Championships in which Spain and Thailand, for example, have been represented, while the list of those nations at only their second championships is lengthy.

This is a major event that has attracted several thousand people to Christchurch and its organisation has involved a massive amount of work.  In this regard I pay tribute to World Bowls New Zealand, Bowls New Zealand and Bowls Events New Zealand.  In particular I wish to thank the more than 400 volunteers, without whom this event would have never been held.

I also wish to thank the three venue clubs—Burnside Bowling Club, Fendalton Bowling Club and Bowls Papanui—for making their facilities available for these World Championships.

Finally, I want to wish everyone good bowling.  I'm sure England, the 2000 and 2004 women's overall team champions, and Scotland, the 2004 men's overall team champions, will be keen to retain their titles. I should warn you that while New Zealand may not be home of bowls, it is one that we hold dear to our heart.  A BBC commentator who followed Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth's Royal Tour of New Zealand in the 1950s once quipped the following about this country's inhabitants in the following words:

"Hail, dauntless pioneers, intrepid souls,

Who cleared the bush - to make a lawn for bowls."

So on that note - of welcome, challenge and anticipation, it gives me great pleasure to officially declare the World Bowling Championships 2008 officially open.

I will close in New Zealand's first language, Maori, by offering greetings and wishing everyone good health and fortitude in your endeavours. No reira, tena koutou, tena koutou, kia ora, kia kaha, tena koutou katoa.