Reception for the Irish Community, Christchurch

Reception for the Irish Community

Speech by Michael D. Higgins President of Ireland

Christchurch

Thursday, 26th October, 2017

President Higgins and Sabina at the Canterbury Earthquake National Memorial, Christchurch

A Chairde Gael, a Dhaoine Uaisle

Tá áthas orm féin agus ar Saidhbhín an deis seo a ghlacadh bualadh leis an oiread seo de phobal na hÉireann sa Nua-Shéalann anseo anocht. Go raibh maith agaibh as an fáilte a d’fhear sibh romhainn.

[Sabina and I are very pleased to have an opportunity to meet so many members of the Irish community in New Zealand here this evening. Thank you for your very warm welcome.]

We are delighted to be in New Zealand and particularly in Christchurch, where six years ago the Irish community came together and worked with such dedication to rebuild a city that had been shattered by the tragic earthquake of February 2011. I visited the Earthquake Memorial Wall earlier today and saw the names of the 185 victims carved into its marble stone. Each name spoke of a life cut tragically short and of a family cruelly and suddenly deprived of a loved one.

Amongst the names on that wall were those of two Irishmen, Owen McKenna from Emyvale in County Monaghan and John O’Connor from Aberdorney in Kerry. They were both young men building new lives for themselves and their families here in New Zealand. I have no doubt their untimely deaths have deprived the community of Christchurch of so much possibility and potential. It has been a privilege to meet members of Owen and John’s families here this evening.

The connection between Ireland and Christchurch is a deeply rooted one. Dublin born John Robert Godley was the first leader of the Christchurch settlement. Described by Gladstone as ‘a king among men’ Godley

was a man of vision, who made a clear distinction between emigration and colonisation and sought to create a self-governing colony that would enable its citizens to grow in prosperity and moral stature. Although he died prematurely, and without achieving his vision, Godley’s legacy would greatly influence liberal colonial policy.

Across the generations and centuries, many more Irish citizens have come to Christchurch, finding here a place of welcome and opportunity. They have made new lives here, contributed to the ongoing development of Christchurch and many have made their lasting impact on this community and on New Zealand society.

Guarding and continuing that enviable legacy is now your task and the task of future generations because I am sure that Irish people will continue to visit, study, work and settle in New Zealand and in Christchurch well into the future.

I know that many of you here this evening are already actively engaged in that work and I want to thank all those who promote greater awareness of the historic and cultural links between Ireland and New Zealand. It is important to remember and celebrate our shared history, even as we look to the promise of the future. With approximately one in six New Zealanders claiming Irish ancestry, our histories are very much intertwined and I am confident that the friendship that exists between our two countries will continue to grow and develop.

The greatest link between Ireland and New Zealand has always been our people. Irish citizens have travelled to New Zealand since the start of European settlement here and continue to come here today to seek new opportunities. We have also welcomed many New Zealanders to Ireland, particularly tourists and those young people who avail of the Working Holiday Visa programme, which offers them a valuable opportunity to experience life in Ireland and the culture and heritage which so defines us as a people.

New Zealand is also an important and growing trade partner for Ireland, particularly in a post-Brexit environment. There are many opportunities for New Zealand companies in Ireland. Likewise, New Zealand is an increasingly important market for Irish companies both in its own right and as a base for the Asia Pacific region.

Agriculture, agri-business and agri-technology are of course of great importance to both the Irish and New Zealand economies. I was very pleased that New Zealand Trade and Enterprise had a stand at this year’s Ploughing Championships in Tullamore. Meanwhile Ireland has been a regular at the Fieldays in Hamilton on North Island for over a decade.

I was delighted to learn that New Zealand intends to open a resident Embassy in Dublin in the near future. This will deepen our friendship, strengthen our cooperation and further develop our trade and economic links. I know that active consideration is also being given in Dublin to the question of opening new Irish diplomatic missions in this part of the world too.

President Higgins and Sabina in Christchurch, at the Canterbury Earthquake National Memorial, with the widow and children of Irishman Owen Thomas Mc Kenna, who was killed during the earthquake

A love of sport is shared by the people of Ireland and New Zealand. This summer, Ireland was delighted to host the Women’s Rugby World Cup. We are now bidding to host the Rugby World Cup in 2023. A few weeks ago, a crowd of 82,000 filled Croke Park for the All-Ireland Football Final. We hope that someday the same ground will be filled with 82,000 rugby fans for a World Cup final, when maybe, just maybe, Ireland can edge out the All Blacks for a second time!

Before I conclude may I say that, as a nation, we in Ireland remain very conscious of the enormous debt of gratitude we owe to those who have left our shores over so many years. Their hard work, and generous support and encouragement to those who remained at home have played a significant role in the shaping and crafting of the modern Ireland we know today. I am, therefore, always so very pleased to be able to acknowledge and thank in person, the representatives of our Irish communities across the globe who do so much to help each other, to support your homeland in so many ways, and who are such valued ambassadors for Ireland.

I am also so happy as President of Ireland to thank the Irish communities who extend a hand of friendship to new waves of emigrants from Ireland, as they too begin new chapters in a country that has welcomed and supported so many of our people.

Groups like the Christchurch Irish society are home to many Irish celebratory, social and cultural events as well as providing a space of welcome and friendship to new Irish emigrants as they seek to create a life here in Wellington.

President Higgins at the Arts Centre in Christchurch for a meeting with members of the Irish diaspora

Meanwhile the Christchurch GAA has provided an important sense of home and continuity for our emigrants over the years, while also creating a strong connection between members of our diaspora who retain their love of GAA sports in whatever parts of the world they may find themselves. That sense of solidarity, of being a part of a wider global GAA family has often been a vital lifeline for emigrants struggling with homesickness and a sense of displacement.

Mar Uachtarán na hÉireann, is mian liom mo bhuíochas a ghabháil leo siúd ar fad a dhéanann a ndícheall a bheith cairdiúil leis na heisimircigh Éireannach atá ag cur fúthu anseo sa Nua-Shéalainn.

[So may I thank all those who, in so many ways, continue to extend a hand of friendship and support to new waves of Irish emigrants travelling here to New Zealand.]

New Zealand has been good to Irish people and we are very grateful for that. In every generation, the Irish who came here brought with them their strength, determination, ambition and resolve to build successful lives and a thriving society. As part of our Diaspora, you have of course also contributed to the development of Ireland. Having travelled all over Ireland and met with representatives of Irish communities worldwide, I can assure you that Ireland really does cherish its special affinity with people of Irish ancestry living abroad, as stated in our Constitution. It is a special privilege for Sabina and me to be here with you this evening celebrating that affinity and paying tribute to the work of Irish citizens in New Zealand.

Go raibh míle maith agaibh go léir agus go dté sibh slán.