Reception for the Irish Community, Te Papa Tongarewa, Museum of New Zealand

Michael D. Higgins Uachtarán na hÉireann, President of Ireland

Wellington

Wednesday, 25th October, 2017

Tá an-áthas orm féin agus ar Saidhbhín a bheith anseo libh sa Nua-Shéalainn. Ár mbuíochas leis an Ambasadóir Keating as an fáiltiú seo a óstáil dúinn.

May I begin by thanking Ambassador Keating for hosting this reception. Sabina and I are delighted to have an opportunity to meet so many members of the Irish community, those active in Irish-New Zealand business and of course, the Diplomatic Corps who have the great good fortune to be posted to this beautiful country, and who represent Ireland so well.

It is, indeed, a great pleasure to be in New Zealand again, a place where approximately one in six citizens can claim Irish ancestry. Indeed, with many thousands of Irish people having travelled here since the mid-19th century, the history of Ireland and New Zealand is strongly intertwined. Irish people came here in search of work and a better future, taking jobs as labourers, miners, and domestic servants. They established new communities and neighbourhoods, and were to become an integral part of a country that they and their children would call ‘home’.

It is greatly apt that we gather here in New Zealand’s globally renowned Te Papa Tongarewa Museum; a place which invites us to explore the rich heritage and many stories that have created the New Zealand we know today. I was delighted to receive the opportunity to view the most inspiring Maori exhibition here and to witness how the Maori culture, such an important basis for the national tapestry of New Zealand, is both recognised and celebrated as a central part of this country’s story.

The Irish, too, have made their deep and lasting contribution to this beautiful country.

So many of you here today have stories, deeply embedded within your family history, which speak of the profound connections which have linked Ireland and New Zealand across generations and centuries. They are separate stories, unique in many ways to your own families, but also critical elements of the fuller story of Irish migration to New Zealand.

Here in Wellington, as in other cities and towns across New Zealand, Irish surnames are prominent in the worlds of business, politics, culture, public service, education and in many other areas critical to the building of a strong economy, participative citizenship and a truly democratic society.

Indeed, visiting this city which became of course the Seat of Government for New Zealand in 1865, we can recall for example the name of Co Antrim born John Balance, who became the 14th Prime Minister of New Zealand. John Balance’s dedication to public service was remarkable and he firmly believed in the profession of politics and in its potential to transform society for the better. His achievements were many including the introduction of new systems of income and property tax which was to greatly benefit New Zealand’s economy; the cultivation of strong relations with the first arrivals on these Islands, the Maori population which led to the settlement of many land issues; and the introduction of female suffrage which saw New Zealand become the first country in the world to allow women the right to vote.

John, like so many Irish people, made a profound and lasting impact on New Zealand and left a legacy which continued to shape and craft this great country.

Indeed, the greatest link between Ireland and New Zealand has always been our people. Irish citizens have travelled to New Zealand since the beginning of European settlement here and continue to come today to seek out new opportunities. Wellington is home to a thriving and dynamic community, who draw on all that is best about our Irishness while also contributing to a city and country to which you, or your ancestors, came as strangers and remained as active and participative citizens.

As a nation we in Ireland also 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 Wellington 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.

The Wellington and Hutt Valley GAA Club is also one of New Zealand’s leading sport and cultural

President Higgins with Maurice Trapp, President of New Zealand Rugby, honouring Dave Gallagher, Captain of the Originals

many of our diaspora to retain their love of GAA sports. The reach and inclusivity of the GAA stretches beyond these shores and the GAA community has provided an important sense of home and continuity for our emigrants over the years – many of them battling against a sense of displacement as they tried to create new homes around the world. It has also introduced many New Zealanders of Irish descent, and indeed those with no connection to Ireland, to an important part of our proud culture and heritage.

New Zealand has been a good friend to Ireland and I think Ireland has reciprocated by being a good friend to New Zealand. In every generation, the Irish who came here brought with them their strength, determination, creativity, ambition and resolve to build successful lives and a thriving society.

Today New Zealand is, of course an important and growing trade partner for Ireland, particularly in a postBrexit 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.

As we look to the future I am confident that our close friendship will continue to thrive and flourish. We, in Ireland, are delighted to welcome and extend a cead míle fáilte to the many New Zealanders who travel to Ireland every year, some as tourists and some availing of the Working Holiday Visa programme. I know that this programme offers many young New Zealanders a valuable opportunity to really experience Irish life and culture and to witness both all that we have in common and the differences that allow us to bring such different perspectives to each other’s countries.

In conclusion, agus mar fhocal scoir, is mian liom mo bhuíochas a ghabháil libh ar fad as an fíorchaoin fáilte a d’fhear sibh romhainn inniu.

[May I thank you for the very generous welcome you have extended to Sabina and I today and thank you once again for being such valued ambassadors for Ireland.]

Go raibh míle maith agaibh go léir.