Governor General tours Spirit of New Zealand

17 May 2012

Governor General tours Spirit of New Zealand

The Spirit of Adventure Trust was honoured to host the Governor-General, Lt Gen The Rt Hon Sir Jerry Mateparae, on board its ship Spirit of New Zealand this morning.

Sir Jerry Mateparae is the Patron of the Spirit of Adventure Trust, which has been providing its award winning youth development programme at sea for the last 40 years.

“We wanted to keep the visit a casual affair. This is the first time the Governor-General has visited the ship so we wanted to show him the true essence of what the Trust is all about – the youth of New Zealand,” said Spirit of Adventure Trust CEO Dean Lawrence.

So in true ‘Spirit’ style, the visit was hosted by past trainees – the young New Zealander’s who get so much out of the youth development voyages every year.

After enjoying a full tour of the ship and morning tea with a group of trainees who completed a voyage just this morning (Thursday), Sir Jerry Mateparae thanked the trainees and wished them all the best for their lives ahead. “It is a pretty special opportunity that you’re able to take advantage of here. The crew and all of those who have sailed before you can attest to that.”

“Lou Fisher did an outstanding thing gifting the first ship to the youth of the nation but it’s you guys that make it special,” he said.

ENDS

© Scoop Media