Wednesday 2 August 2006
Rt Hon Helen Clark
Prime Minister
Address at
State Luncheon to farewell
Governor-General Dame Silvia Cartwright
Banquet Hall Beehive
Wednesday 2 August 2006
This State luncheon is the formal opportunity for the government and Parliament, on behalf of New Zealanders, to thank
Dame Silvia Cartwright for her service to New Zealand over the five years and four months she has served as our
eighteenth Governor-General, and also to thank Mr Peter Cartwright for his support for Dame Sylvia through those years.
Dame Silvia came to the role from a distinguished and varied judicial career. I note in particular her work as chair of
the inquiry into the treatment of cervical cancer and related matters at Auckland’s National Women’s Hospital. The
Cartwright Inquiry and report marked a turning point in health professional ethics and accountability in New Zealand.
Dame Silvia had also made an international contribution in the human rights field.
In New Zealand, we have high expectations of our Governors-General. We expect wise judgement in undertaking the
constitutional functions; we expect to see leadership and service in the community; and nowadays we expect to see
contemporary New Zealand reflected in the way the role is undertaken.
Dame Silvia has more than met our demanding expectations. She has undertaken her constitutional duties wisely and
impartially; she has led and served in the community; and she has celebrated our diversity and strengths as a nation.
Dame Sylvia has also had the ability to connect with people and communities right across our diverse country. As well
she has a strong sense of humour – in my view a necessary trait for holding high office and keeping a sense of
perspective about it.
Over the last twenty years, the practice has evolved of our Governor-General representing New Zealand overseas at
ceremonial occasions, particularly in the Pacific. During Dame Silvia’s term, her skills and experience in international
settings have been called on extensively as she has promoted and represented New Zealand and New Zealand’s interests
overseas.
Dame Sylvia has travelled widely in the Pacific, to the other parts of the Realm of New Zealand - the Cook Islands, Niue
and Tokelau - and also to Tonga, Samoa, Tuvalu, Nauru, the Solomon Islands and Vanuatu. On these visits she has built a
strong rapport with many Pacific heads of government and state, and with Pacific communities.
New Zealand is a small country with wide global interests, and we must take every opportunity to promote those
interests. Beyond the Pacific, Dame Silvia has made State visits to the Middle East, Latin America, South East Asia and
Europe, representing New Zealand in the role of an apolitical, non-executive Head of State. Through these visits Dame
Sylvia has been able to raise the profile of New Zealand’s trade, education, and other interests, and support the work
of our posts overseas.
New Zealand’s Governor-General has an important relationship with the armed forces. Dame Silvia has supported the
traditions, achievements and professionalism of the New Zealand Defence Force. She has also been keenly aware of the
personal demands on those who serve overseas, and on their families at home.
In 2002 Dame Sylvia travelled to East Timor to meet New Zealand military and civilian personnel serving there. In 2004
she visited the Solomon Islands to reinforce our support for democratic and constitutional government, and to visit NZ
Defence Force and NZ Police personnel serving in the Regional Assistance Mission.
In New Zealand, Dame Silvia has undertaken a broad-based community programme, travelling tirelessly around our country.
She has been a gracious host to many at Government House in Wellington and in Auckland. There she has welcomed the
Queen, members of the Royal Family, and visiting Heads of State; received the credentials of visiting diplomats; awarded
honours at investiture ceremonies; and hosted New Zealanders at a great number of functions.
Both Dame Sylvia and Peter have supported and acknowledged the role of volunteers in our community, recognising the
vital contribution and difference they make to the lives of others and their communities.
Many children and young people around our country have met Dame Silvia on her visits to their schools. As well through
the Governor-General’s website, many more have learned about the Governor-General, and about Thelma – the VID – the Very
Important Dog – who has tales to tell of the smartest kennels in town.
Through her initial school visits, Dame Silvia had become aware both of students’ limited understanding of the role of
Governor-General and our constitutional arrangements, and the lack of educational resources about the office. Thanks to
Dame Silvia, information to fill the gaps is now available on the Governor-General’s own website.
While in office, Dame Silvia has talked about matters of concern and importance to New Zealand in a principled and
intelligent way. It does take great skill and care for a Governor-General to be a unifying figure above politics, while
at the same contributing views to public discussion. Dame Silvia has shown us how such non-partisan leadership can be
exercised.
During her term, Dame Silvia has brought a special interest and flair to the Governor-General’s stewardship role of the
Government House properties. Government House Auckland is set in beautiful historic grounds in Mt Eden. The small size
of this official residence and its limited facilities meant that previously the property was mainly used only in the
summer months. Dame Silvia was a staunch champion of the restoration and redevelopment of the house, so that New
Zealand’s largest city could be fully reflected in the Governor-General’s programme throughout the year. Government
House Wellington has equally benefited from her care and interest in the preservation of heritage. Dame Silvia has also
put great emphasis on ensuring that all visitors to the house and gardens find the experience an interesting and
rewarding one.
I want to acknowledge especially the role of Mr Peter Cartwright in supporting Dame Sylvia. Never before have we had a
female Governor-General with a spouse. Peter has had to carve out that role. Personally I have been full of admiration
for the role he has played, and his willingness to travel extensively with Dame Sylvia and accompany her so often.
There is a heavy burden on those who serve in the office of Governor-General. Private lives are largely put on hold, and
the incumbent and spouse live in a goldfish bowl. I thank Dame Sylvia and Peter for their willingness to serve in this
way, and for bringing their integrity and stamina to the task. Thank you also for agreeing to serve these past
additional four months in office.
Dame Silvia will soon take on a new and demanding role in Cambodia as a War Crimes Tribunal trial judge – a task to
which she will bring her very considerable legal, judicial, and international experience and her abiding interest in
human rights.
Dame Silvia and Peter – we thank you both for the time you have devoted to the office of the Governor-General and we
wish you both the very best for the future.
ENDS