New Zealander of the Year : Semi-Finalists

I am so proud to be here tonight, to pay tribute to those champions within our midst who willingly, cheerfully build our communities.

I have always thought that my role as the Minister for the Community and Voluntary Sector must surely be one of the most sought after positions across the Cabinet.

For I have the incredible privilege of engaging with some of the 97,000 groups that enable our communities not just to function, but to flourish. 

Then there are the approximately 1.2 million New Zealanders who might be described as volunteers.  They are sharing their work skills to build homes, coaching sports and kapa haka, teaching children to read, dance and sing or caring for the elderly or disabled.  

They are supporting their churches and marae; they are saving lives and bringing meals-on-wheels; they are taking up their collective responsibility to make a great nation even better.

The national account is stronger for their contribution - recent analysis suggests our volunteers contribute over $3.3 billion dollars of labour annually to our communities.

But most of all, the spirit of nationhood is enhanced because of their efforts.

It is then, with genuine pleasure, that I am here tonight in this most significant week, the week in which we honour our beginnings as a nation.  

What better way to acknowledge Waitangi Day than to pay tribute to those who do so much to create opportunities to ensure every New Zealander has a place to belong; to feel the warmth and support of their neighbours; to be safe; to be respected.

Tonight is our chance to acknowledge those outstanding individuals amongst us, who give so freely of themselves, in the best interests of Aotearoa. 

Their actions convey the ultimate expression of manaakitanga   - that capacity to care, the flowing hospitality; the generosity of spirit which lifts us up and binds us together.

The New Zealander of the Year Awards are a step in the right direction to ensuring that we take the time to acknowledge our volunteers, community workers, care givers and supporters for their acts of kindness.

We must build on their example, and create an attitude of gratitude; where we acknowledge the many kindnesses that bring joy; where we appreciate the sacrifices made and the commitment shown. 

We can start this in our own homes - recognizing the amazing efforts our whanau and our family members make to keep us connected, to do the very best for us.

With over 480 nominations for this year's awards, it is clear to me that we are starting to realise the importance of giving our community heroes the recognition they so deeply deserve and that is what tonight is all about.

I want to congratulate everyone who has contributed to making this award programme a success.

This includes all of our nominees and finalists here tonight and all around New Zealand, everyone who has nominated someone for an award, the organisers, judges, sponsors and partners. Well done.   You make us proud.

Finally on behalf of the Maori Party and the Government I want to thank each of our finalists, our nominees and the millions of New Zealanders who give of themselves every day to build our great nation.

It is with immense pleasure that I welcome to the stage, some of the semi finalists in the New Zealander of the Year Awards who are with us tonight.