Speech
Young Community Leaders Awards
Ladies and Gentlemen, I greet you in the languages of the realm of New Zealand - English, Maori, Cook Island Maori, Niuean and Tokelauan.
Kia Ora, Kia Orana, Fakalofa Lahi Atu, Taloha Ni
Greetings: Mattie Blackburn, Chairman, The Community Trust of Wellington and Frances Russell, Executive Director, The Community Trust of Wellington; tonight's Judges Tana Umaga, Dame Kate Harcourt and Tim Pankhurst; Nominees; Ladies and Gentlemen.
My wife Susan and I warmly welcome you all to Government House tonight.
As part of holding this office we regularly have the opportunity to host guests in this rather grand and historic home.
Tonight it is a particular pleasure to have with us a gathering of such inspiring and accomplished young people as yourselves, who are being recognised for the qualities of leadership you have displayed.
The Community Trust of Wellington has nominated 31 young leaders, from around the Wellington region, for the Young Community Leaders Award.
This is the second time the Trust has held these awards. The last time was in 2005, and the event was hosted by my predecessor, Dame Silvia Cartwright, in this same room.
Tonight's awards provide an important opportunity to recognise the tangible difference you are making to the communities in which you live, and to thank you for your hard work.
New Zealand needs leaders like you. Your ongoing development as leaders - whether in the community or in the environment, in business or in government - is important for the future of our country.
It is equally important that your leadership skills are recognised as early as possible so that you are each given an opportunity to develop your full potential.
Leadership takes many forms and it can be displayed at any age. It is not about ego, or about winning. It is not about being loud and or being opinionated, although it requires strong belief to carry through your convictions.
I believe the most important thing about leadership is that you provide a positive example to others, that you promote constructive change and that you have a vision for doing things a better way to improve the human condition.
It is important to keep your feet firmly on the ground and to remember that the most important purpose of a leader is to serve.
This aspect of leadership is well expressed in this Maori proverb:
Ma mua ka kite a muri, ma muri ka Ora a mua
Those who lead give sight to those who follow; those behind give life to those ahead
As leaders you need to have numerous qualities including the ability to listen, integrity, decisiveness, vision and honesty.
In being here tonight, each of you has already displayed these qualities in abundance. But what is even more important is that you have applied your natural gifts for the benefit of others, because you have focused your efforts within the community sector.
You have not sought financial or personal gain. Rather, you have been driven by a desire to help others.
I congratulate every nominee for this and I expect we will be seeing much more of you all in the years ahead.
I began speaking in all the New Zealand realm languages. May I close by speaking in Maori issuing greetings and wishing you good health and fortitude in your endeavours.
No reira, tena koutou, tena koutou, kia ora koutou katoa