Source: New Zealand Governor General
Rau rangatira mā
Koutou, … tātou, i haere mai..
ki te whakanui i te kaupapa o te rā,
I haere mai…. ki te whakamānawa, tēnei o nga mokopuna,
a Tahu Pōtiki, a Porourangi,
Tēnā koutou
Tēnā koutou
Tēnā tātou katoa
It is my great pleasure to preside at this investiture ceremony for Sir Selwyn Parata, in the presence of his whanau and honoured guests.
As Governor-General, I have the authority and privilege on behalf of His Majesty King Charles, the King of New Zealand, to hold an investiture ceremony for him.
Uepohatu Marae has witnessed significant moments in our nation’s history.
In 1943, Sir Cyril Newall, the Governor-General of the day, came to this spot to present the Victoria Cross of Te Moananui-a-Kiwa Ngarimu to his grieving parents, in the presence of thousands of guests.
In 1947, it was the turn of Governor-General Sir Bernard Freyberg, commander of the New Zealand forces in the desert war and Prime Minister Sidney Holland to join Sir Apirana Ngata for the official opening of this building.
Today will be remembered as another momentous occasion in the history of Ngāti Porou and Uepohatu Marae.
The presence of former Prime Ministers; a former Chief Justice; current and former Ministers of the Crown and Members of Parliament; Knights and Dames of the Realm; along with representatives of iwi from throughout Aotearoa – all are testament to the high esteem with which Sir Selwyn is regarded.
I welcome this opportunity to acknowledge the aroha of iwi that extended manaakitanga to Ngāti Porou in the aftermath of Cyclone Gabrielle.
Sir Selwyn, this is an especially proud moment for you, for Ngāti Porou, for your peers and for your whanau.
This knighthood acknowledges your mana, your leadership and lifetime of service to Ngāti Porou; your commitment to kotahitanga in Aotearoa; and your advocacy and leadership in Te Matatini.
During my visit to Hawke’s Bay and Tairāwhiti communities this week, I have witnessed the strength of kotahitanga in their responses to last year’s extreme weather events.
Sir Selwyn, I know your leadership has been critical to the progress of such efforts in Tairāwhiti. Your determination to make communities more resilient and self-reliant will stand them in good stead in the event of future natural disasters.
In all your many areas of influence, you have shown a steadfast commitment to uphold the legacy of your tipuna; to honour and build on their matauranga; to instil a keen moral imagination in the next generation of leaders; and to observe the obligations we have to uphold the wellbeing of our fellow citizens and the natural world.
On behalf of The King of New Zealand, and all New Zealanders, I congratulate you on your achievements and the Honour I will bestow upon you today, and I thank you most sincerely for your service to the people of Aotearoa/New Zealand.
I now invite Government House Kaumatua, Joe Harawira to read your citation in te reo Māori, and my Official Secretary, Alice Ropata, to read it in English.
