CNW Member Event - 19 March 2025
Government House 'Thank You'
Thank you to all those members who attended, this thank you also goes out to those who could not attend.
Your mahi is appreciated and acknowledged in the speeches.
More photos will be uploaded soon ......
Your mahi is appreciated and acknowledged in the speeches.
More photos will be uploaded soon ......
Speech by Diana Wolken - Co Chair of Community Networks Wellington - Read Speech Here
Speech by Amanda Ashby - Executive Committee Community Networks Wellington - Read Speech Here
Speech by Governor General The Rt Hon Dame Cindy Kiro, GNZM, QSO
E nga rau rangatira mā, e huihui mai i tēnei ra, tēnei aku mihi mahana ki a koutou. Nau mai, haere mai ki Te Whare o Te Kawana Tianara o Te Whanganui-a-Tara. Kia ora mai tātou katoa.
I’d like to begin by specifically acknowledging: Her Worship Tory Whanau, Mayor of Wellington; Diana Wolken, Chair of the Executive Committee of Community Networks Wellington; Debbie Delaney, Coordinator of Community Networks Wellington; and Theresa Hall, Maddie Clark, and Amanda Ashby, Executive Committee.
And to all our distinguished guests here this morning, including of course, members of Wellington’s community and social sector – tēnā koutou katoa. As Governor-General, I’m delighted to have this opportunity to acknowledge the powerful and important work that each of you do in support of the Wellington, Hutt Valley, and Porirua communities.
I wish to firstly acknowledge what a difficult time this must be for many of you here this morning, as well as the organisations you represent – knowing, as I do, the enormous financial hardships being experienced by community sector providers and families throughout the country. However, I also acknowledge that your work could not be more important, and I commend each of you for remaining steadfast in your support of those members of our society who find themselves cut off, in crisis, and – so often – with nowhere else to turn.
Having spent much of my own life and career advocating for the wellbeing of tamariki and whānau, I understand the importance of the community and social sector for maintaining the fabric of our communities – and I know that your work is all the more impactful, when it is done in close connection with those who share your values and objectives. As the whakataukī says: ‘Waiho i te toipoto, kaua i te toiroa. Let us keep close together, not far apart.’
Last year, Dr Davies and I visited the Hawkes’ Bay and Tairāwhiti regions, to see how those communities were recovering following Cyclone Gabrielle. The theme that we encountered again and again, was how essential local organisations had been in supporting whānau in their recovery – and the better-connected those organisations were, both with each other, and into their communities, the more effective they could be in supporting families through that time of such terrible devastation and loss.
I wish to acknowledge Community Networks Wellington specifically, for bringing together this group here today, whose work so often goes unacknowledged. I also wish to recognise your own work in supporting this sector, so integral to the wellbeing of our society. By providing such an active and effective platform for local charities and community groups to come together, you give your member organisations new avenues, invaluable insights, and powerful means for supporting the needs of those they serve.
It was St Francis of Assisi who said: ‘Remember, when you leave this earth, you can take with you nothing that you have received, only what you have given: a full heart, enriched by honest service, love, sacrifice, and courage.’ As Governor-General, on behalf of all New Zealanders, I wish to thank everyone here this morning – for all that you do and that you give in support of those most vulnerable and marginalised members of our society.
I wish finally to offer my most heartfelt encouragement: please, keep going. Your work remains so acutely important, and I have no doubt of the great positive impact you are having, and the comfort you are providing to so many. I invite you to please enjoy the hospitality of this House – and I wish you all the very best in your ongoing work across our communities.
Kia ora huihui tātou katoa.
The Rt Hon Dame Cindy Kiro, GNZM, QSO
Speech by Amanda Ashby - Executive Committee Community Networks Wellington - Read Speech Here
Speech by Governor General The Rt Hon Dame Cindy Kiro, GNZM, QSO
E nga rau rangatira mā, e huihui mai i tēnei ra, tēnei aku mihi mahana ki a koutou. Nau mai, haere mai ki Te Whare o Te Kawana Tianara o Te Whanganui-a-Tara. Kia ora mai tātou katoa.
I’d like to begin by specifically acknowledging: Her Worship Tory Whanau, Mayor of Wellington; Diana Wolken, Chair of the Executive Committee of Community Networks Wellington; Debbie Delaney, Coordinator of Community Networks Wellington; and Theresa Hall, Maddie Clark, and Amanda Ashby, Executive Committee.
And to all our distinguished guests here this morning, including of course, members of Wellington’s community and social sector – tēnā koutou katoa. As Governor-General, I’m delighted to have this opportunity to acknowledge the powerful and important work that each of you do in support of the Wellington, Hutt Valley, and Porirua communities.
I wish to firstly acknowledge what a difficult time this must be for many of you here this morning, as well as the organisations you represent – knowing, as I do, the enormous financial hardships being experienced by community sector providers and families throughout the country. However, I also acknowledge that your work could not be more important, and I commend each of you for remaining steadfast in your support of those members of our society who find themselves cut off, in crisis, and – so often – with nowhere else to turn.
Having spent much of my own life and career advocating for the wellbeing of tamariki and whānau, I understand the importance of the community and social sector for maintaining the fabric of our communities – and I know that your work is all the more impactful, when it is done in close connection with those who share your values and objectives. As the whakataukī says: ‘Waiho i te toipoto, kaua i te toiroa. Let us keep close together, not far apart.’
Last year, Dr Davies and I visited the Hawkes’ Bay and Tairāwhiti regions, to see how those communities were recovering following Cyclone Gabrielle. The theme that we encountered again and again, was how essential local organisations had been in supporting whānau in their recovery – and the better-connected those organisations were, both with each other, and into their communities, the more effective they could be in supporting families through that time of such terrible devastation and loss.
I wish to acknowledge Community Networks Wellington specifically, for bringing together this group here today, whose work so often goes unacknowledged. I also wish to recognise your own work in supporting this sector, so integral to the wellbeing of our society. By providing such an active and effective platform for local charities and community groups to come together, you give your member organisations new avenues, invaluable insights, and powerful means for supporting the needs of those they serve.
It was St Francis of Assisi who said: ‘Remember, when you leave this earth, you can take with you nothing that you have received, only what you have given: a full heart, enriched by honest service, love, sacrifice, and courage.’ As Governor-General, on behalf of all New Zealanders, I wish to thank everyone here this morning – for all that you do and that you give in support of those most vulnerable and marginalised members of our society.
I wish finally to offer my most heartfelt encouragement: please, keep going. Your work remains so acutely important, and I have no doubt of the great positive impact you are having, and the comfort you are providing to so many. I invite you to please enjoy the hospitality of this House – and I wish you all the very best in your ongoing work across our communities.
Kia ora huihui tātou katoa.
The Rt Hon Dame Cindy Kiro, GNZM, QSO
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