Graduation ceremony for the New Zealand Olympic Committee 2026 Wāhine Toa Programme

Rau rangatira mā, e huihui nei, tēnei aku mihi nui ki a koutou. Kia ora tātou katoa.

I would like to begin by specifically acknowledging Nicki Nicol, Chief Executive Officer of the New Zealand Olympic Committee, and of course, the 2026 NZOC Wāhine Toa graduates.

It is a great pleasure to welcome you here to Government House Auckland for this very special graduation of the 2026 New Zealand Olympic Committee Wāhine Toa programme.

As patron of the New Zealand Olympic Committee, and as just the fourth woman to be appointed Governor-General, I am a staunch advocate for women in leadership positions in sport. I can't pretend to know how to win a gold medal, but I do know a thing or two about leadership, determination, and about always striving for better.

We are a nation of people who have been shaped by sport; we've adopted the silver fern as our unofficial national garb, and we rearrange our school terms to accommodate rugby world cups.

And we are also a nation that prides itself on its reputation for trailblazing women. It's not surprising that we have produced some of the most accomplished female athletes in the world. But the unmistakable truth is that it is only in recent years that these athletes and teams have been afforded the spotlight they deserve. Take for instance, Olympian Yvette Williams who in 1951 won 'Sportsman of the Year'. There was little precedent for championing female success on the sports field, and even less in leadership and decision-making positions.

Recent events such as the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup and the 2021 Rugby World Cup have strengthened New Zealand's commitment towards creating opportunities for women and girls playing and watching sport. It is heartening to know that the children of today can turn on their television and envision a future for themselves without limitations.

Your decision to take this step into leadership contributes to shaping the next generation of New Zealand athletes. You will act as a tangible source of inspiration, knowledge and expertise. In taking the opportunity to embark upon the Wāhine Toa Leadership Programme, you have committed to not only bettering others, but to bettering yourself.

It was decorated Olympian Nadia Comaneci who said: "I don't run away from a challenge because I am afraid. Instead, I run toward it because the only way to escape fear is to trample it beneath your feet." Being a leader is not simple, and it's not without its difficulties. But if there is anyone who knows how to take on a challenge - it's the talented and resilient women standing before me.

You embark on this new journey at an exciting moment for women in sport. In recent years, women's sport is being watched by more people than ever before. The 2025 Women's Rugby World Cup final at Twickenham drew a crowd of over 81,000 - the second-highest attendance for any Rugby World Cup final across the men's and women's tournaments. In Australia, the highest rated television broadcast of all time is the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup semi-final.

I hope today allows you to reflect upon this achievement and acknowledge your commitment to continuous learning. Your individual success as leaders will benefit a vast collective of present and future athletes.

I would like to conclude with a whakataukī, one that reminds us that our potential is far greater than we believe it to be. Whāia e koe te iti kahurangi ke te tūohu koe, me he maunga teitei - Pursue excellence. Should you stumble, let it be to a lofty mountain.

Kia ora huihui tātou katoa.