Issue date: Saturday, 6 February 2021
Speaker: The Rt Hon Dame Patsy Reddy, GNZM, QSO
 
Kei āku nui, Kei āku rahi, Nau mai, piki mai i runga i te aroha ki te kaupapa o te ra

Tēnā koutou, Tēnā koutou, Tēnā tātou katoa 
o everyone who has gathered in recognition of this most important day, welcome. Thank you all for joining David and me in commemorating Waitangi Day at Government House.

I acknowledge members of Parliament the Dean and other members of our Diplomatic Corps, members of local government including the Mayors of Wellington, Lower Hutt, South Wairarapa and Carterton; and Former Vice Regal couples Sir Anand and Lady Susan Satyanand and Sir Jerry and Lady Janine Mateparae. How much has changed since Waitangi Day last year, when thousands of guests gathered on the lawn in front of us. Since then, the responsibilities and privileges of citizenship have come sharply into focus.

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