Commonwealth Day Observance

 Message from the Prime Minister of New Zealand

Hon John Key

Delivered by the Minister of Health

Hon Tony Ryall at the Commonwealth Day Observance, 8 March 2010

Every year, on the second Monday of March, people from all around the Commonwealth mark the occasion of Commonwealth Day. Commonwealth Day celebrates this unique organisation and the bringing together of people, nations and ideals.

In London in a few hours' time her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II will be delivering a Commonwealth Day message and lead a multi-faith observance at Westminster Abbey, similar to what we are doing here at Wellington Cathedral.  This observance is replicated throughout Commonwealth countries in cathedrals, temples, mosques and churches. Together the Commonwealth family of two billion people spread across 54 countries marks the anniversary of a partnership with historical roots.

1949 marked the pivotal point when the Commonwealth's colonial legacy was positively transformed into a partnership based on equality and consensus. The 1949 London Declaration placed the Commonwealth on a post-empire footing.  The old term, ‘British Commonwealth', was dispensed with, and the empire became a Commonwealth of Nations ‘freely cooperating in the pursuit of peace, liberty and progress'. We welcome the Commonwealth's newest member, Rwanda, who joined at the Heads of Government meeting last year. 

The Commonwealth has always believed that the best democracies are achieved through partnerships of governments, business and civil society. The Commonwealth recently confirmed its commitment to values such as tolerance, freedom and equality, all of which underpin the Commonwealth's founding pillars of democracy and development.  New Zealand strongly supports these objectives for it is only through working together that the future of the people of the Commonwealth can be improved. 

This year, the theme of Commonwealth Day is Science, Technology and Society. The aim is to raise awareness around issues of science and development, as today's technology means we have a much better chance of being able to improve people's lives. For small businesses, for example, modern telecommunications and the internet can provide the critical potential to succeed.   

The theme of Science, Technology and Society is particularly important to New Zealand. It can be seen in our health efforts in tackling disease and health system challenges in our country, while helping others to do the same. It includes the environment, an issue of great importance to our beautiful country, and the work we are doing to tackle climate change. It includes information and communications technology, a central aspect of our daily lives, as well as food and agriculture, energy sources and science education. These are all significant and current issues on New Zealand's immediate and longer-term horizons.

New Zealand remains a strong supporter of Commonwealth development activities and provides more than $5 million annually to the Commonwealth development agencies. In this way, we contribute to a better future for all members of the Commonwealth.