Young Community Leaders Awards

May I begin by greeting everyone in the languages of the realm of New Zealand, in English, Māori, Cook Island Māori, 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 then specifically greet you: Mattie Blackburn, Chair of the Community Trust of Wellington and your fellow trustees; Hon Tariana Turia, Minister for the  Community and Voluntary Sector and your fellow judges; Young Community Leader Award finalists; friends and whanau; ladies and gentlemen.

Thank you for inviting me to attend the Community Trust of Wellington Young Community Leaders Awards.

I have been asked to present the awards to the five winners, but before I do, I would like to speak about the significance of these awards. 

Looking at the list of the finalists I was immediately struck by the wide and significant contribution you have all made. I was impressed that for such a young group of people you have all contributed so much to so many different community, sporting, health, youth and church groups.  While the judges can only pick five winners, to be chosen as a finalist is a significant achievement in itself.

I am certain that what resulted in you being firstly nominated and then chosen by the judges as a finalist was that through your efforts you have all shown strong leadership qualities.

While not everyone will be a chief executive, mayor, prime minister, or for that matter, governor-general, everyone can show leadership.    As the late Sir Edmund Hillary once said:      "People do not decide to become extraordinary. They decide to accomplish extraordinary things."

Key leadership qualities include an ability to listen, being professional in your dealing with others, and displaying integrity, honesty and respect.  Leaders need to keep their feet on the ground and to recognise that it is their purpose to serve.

There is an old saying that "actions speak louder than words."  What you do in life says as much about who you are, and your commitment to those values, as what you say.  Your deeds can be a positive example to others that promote positive change. 

Leadership can take many forms.  Throughout the year, there are investiture ceremonies where I confer awards to recognise those who have achieved in commerce, community and public service.  Some of those achievements are at a local level and others at the national or international level.  All, however, have shown leadership.

Last month my wife Susan and I travelled to Turkey where we represented New Zealand at the ANZAC Day commemorations.

I had the privilege to give the first speech at the Dawn Service, I told those who had gathered to mark the 94th anniversary of the Gallipoli landings, that the sacrifice of the New Zealanders who fought and died there and in conflicts since then, did so to protect our democratic values and our way of life. 

I said that in these troubling times, we could draw inspiration from their service and sacrifice.  I said: "Because of their service, few of us will ever be called upon to endure what they went through.   That legacy is a mighty gift that we should always cherish."

By being engaged with your communities you have demonstrated a recognition that enjoying the rights and benefits of a democracy also involves obligations and responsibilities.

The spirit of volunteerism is the glue that holds our society and economy together.  Our health, education and social service sectors would grind to a halt without the countless hours of voluntary work many people provide.

Voluntary work not only has its own intrinsic benefits-making friends and even offers of employment-but it also adds strength to fabric of our culture, our society and our economy.

I am also convinced that the voluntary sector will have a particularly important role to play in the difficult years ahead.

According to economists, New Zealand and the wider world face the most challenging economic times since the time of the Great Depression in the 1930s.  The strength of our communities will be tested in a way that few can recall.

I believe the work that you as leaders in a variety of community organisations will undertake will be invaluable in providing a focus for communities under stress.  

I will close with a quote from a British Prime Minister of 50 years ago, Winston Churchill whose career was a testament to service to his country.  He once said: "We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give."

And on that note, I will close in New Zealand's first language Māori, by offering everyone greetings and wishing you all good health and fortitude in your endeavours.   No reira, tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou, kia ora, kia kaha, tēnā koutou katoa.