Speech
Yachting NZ Awards Ceremony
May I begin by greeting you in the languages of the realm of New Zealand - 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 evening (Sign)
May I specifically greet you: Jan Dawson, President of Yachting New Zealand; Des Brennan, Chief Executive; Peter Montgomery, our MC this evening; Distinguished Guests otherwise; Ladies and Gentlemen.
Thank you for inviting my wife Susan and me to attend the Yachting New Zealand Excellence Awards Dinner at the Royal NZ Yacht Squadron Headquarters in Auckland this evening
As Patron of Yachting New Zealand I have been asked to present this year's Honour Awards as well as the Sir Bernard Fergusson Trophy for NZ Sailor of the Year, but before I do so, I would briefly to speak about the significance of yachting in the New Zealand psyche.
When studying geography, children are often instructed to take a globe and move it so that New Zealand sits right in the centre. What immediately becomes apparent is that with the exception of Australia off to the far left, Antarctica to the bottom and few islands to the top, there is nothing but the sea all around us.
The sea is a constant in the life of most New Zealanders. Almost all our cities are built right next to the sea and those aren't are less than hour's drive from it. The sea and the beach are places both of relaxation and sport and it is over the sea that most of this nation's exports and imports are delivered.
Yachting has proven to be a popular sport in which thousands of Kiwis, both young and old, have and continue to, participate in. An Australian who visited these shores in 1879, James Hingston, foretold that, and I quote: "New Zealand of the future will be a paradise to yachtsmen."
The opinions of Australians about this country are occasionally somewhat wide of the mark, but on this occasion Hingston was absolutely correct. New Zealand's standing in the world of yachting and other water sports is reflected in the honours many New Zealanders have won in world championships, long distance yachting races, the Olympics and the America's Cup.
Yachting teaches many important values. It firstly teaches a respect of the sea and the importance of water safety. It provides not only physical skills and strength, but also tactical skills. For those on involved in anything other than single-handed races, it instils values about leadership and working in teams.
But making this all happen requires the service of thousands of volunteers working behind the scenes. They are the coaches, the learn-to-sail organisers, the race organisers, the record keepers, the race judges and umpires, the fundraisers, the caterers, the committee members, and the list goes on.
Many of these people go about their work seeking no glory or reward apart from seeing an event well organised or young up and coming club members go on to greater success. And, when they've a free moment, they try to get a spot of yachting in themselves!
It is volunteers such as these who, in all aspects of our country, give strength to the fabric of our society. To those who are to receive the Honour Awards tonight, I say congratulations and well done.
On that note, I will close in Maori by 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.