PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
IPANZ President Liz MacPherson IPANZ PRESIDENT LIZ MACPHERSON
“The art of walking upright here...”
difference and the hope they inspired in him. In a world full
IPANZ PRESIDENT LIZ MACPHERSON ofto existential crises and uncertainty, he argued whatto see possibilities rather than constraints, andthat a desire Kāore te kumara e kōrere mō tōna ake reka Around the motu over the last month or so, university they hada been taughtOne at university – to thinklegal critically, make difference. of the pre-eminent mindsto of his students graduating. Mid-May was Victoria The kumarahave does been not speak of its own sweetness University of Wellington Te Herenga Waka’s turn. With two daughters in separate faculties, I had He aha te kaigraduating a te rangitira? He kōrero, hethe privilege of attending two parades and two graduation History does not repeat itself, but it often rhymes kōrero, he korero. ceremonies. – Mark Twain What is the food of the leader? It is knowledge, it is The of both days of joy and communication. On theoverwhelming auspicious dateemotion of 22/2/2022, IPANZ heldwas its much-deferred celebration. Theas beaming of theMiraculously, parading graduates annual conference an onlinesmiles conference. our as21thronging crowds them down Lambton speakers, sponsors, and cheered more our attendees stayed with On September 2021, IPANZimportantly, will be holding its annual us. My thanks to focus all on those attended. It is was great day, providing Quay. TheThe pride the faces of friends and whānau. The conference. of who the conference onathe key challenges much foodpublic for thought, debate, and action. spontaneous karanga, songs, chants, and hakaItthat facing the service, both current and future. is a broke outme, as perhaps a loved onemost crossed the stage,service theconcept auditorium conference designed to provide public professionals with For the thought-provoking was introduced echoing withWilliams aroha, delight, and joy their achievements. the opportunity to pause, listen, reflect, and learn together. by Justice Joe in the keynote Ivanin Kwok memorial lecture entitled “Crown–Māori Relations: A 200-year Search for Partnership”.
I also got to listen to with four an challenging, The conference begins address inentertaining honour of anand Confronting yet constructive, devastatingly honest, yet hopeful and characteristically high-energy speeches Chancellor exemplary public servant, the inaugural IvanbyKwok Memorial optimistic, JusticeisJoe us to strivewere against our national John Allen. hischallenged way, speeches Lecture, given As by Justice Joethe Williams. The focuspunctuated of the lecture is failing of “amnesia” – where we forget and therefore do not learn with statistics, historicaland references, and selfon one poetry, of our greatest challenges opportunities – realising a from the possibilities of the past. An amnesia that leads us to believe deprecating humour, allMāori accompanied by vigorous gestures. real partnership between and the Crown. that we are the first generation to have tried to find the solution to While congratulating achievements, true partnership betweenthem Māorion andtheir the Crown – to forget the that the Chancellor’s speeches focused on the future thethe graduates The whakataukī “kāore te kumara e kōrere mō ake reka – potential for partnership has repeatedly emerged tōna over last 180 were entering, their ability it and make a have the kumara does not speak of to its shape own sweetness” could years. been composed for Ivan Kwok. He was a man of great humility, But is the impact of this amnesia limited to Crown–Māori warmth, and kindness coupled with a sharp intellect, the ability relationships? I would argue no. This is not the first time we have
examine the evidence, and to advocate, to speak generation, he alwaysquestion gave respect whomever he was listening truth power it– was was anever more crucial than now. In a to –to whether new graduate or the prime minister. world of uncertainty, his advice was to take counsel from New poet Glen Colquhoun: “…the art walking ButZealand it isainglobal his relationship iwi leaders, hisofwork confronted pandemic inwith Aotearoa New Zealand. Notto thefurther first a we true partnership between Māori and that Ivan upright here is theforces art ofwith using both feet.the OneCrown, for holding time have joined allies to confront a is global threat. Not us letting with and Here was a man the first time we have both sought answers to housing issues. Nor it the on.provides One is for go.”challenge Stand firm in hope. who you are, inis first time we have confronted competing priorities regarding resources. who was not tangata whenua but who was respected across your whakapapa, in what you have been taught and use Asthis Justice Joe forward, said: “WeBecause areexplore, not on a linear pathway to enlightenment.” te to aostep Māori. Why? Ivan listening to tobelieved learn, toinlove. And deeply to to understand, in the true power ofpoet, conversation, in engaging act. another New Zealand Lauristhe Edmond, We areQuoting all familiar with the phrase “those who forget lessons of early, people over process. thatpast, by sitting Chancellor Allen to challenged theIvan to use their history areindoomed repeat them”. Ifgraduates wedemonstrated fail to listen to the we down together understanding each other’s interest at a deep learning toblinded makeand abydifference people, place and planet. can become our currentfor assumptions and bias. We become relational level, partners could find newto and different vulnerable to re-inventing failed solutions or falling “snake “…you have to do the andTreaty be, not simply watch orvictim ways of working with each other –will ways benefited Māori and oil”. Wedescribe.” have no idea where our choices takethat us. This is all too even the nation as a whole. He aha te kai a te rangitira? He korero, he depressingly true. korero, heparent, korero. I left the auditorium inspired with As a proud However, the concept of “amnesia” gave me cause for hope and hope forWe thehave future. Asourselves the President of IPANZ, I waslocally, left and optimism. within – globally, nationally, Ivan’s tangi, which was held at Pipitea Marae, was attended by wondering how many of these shiny new graduates would within our communities – the concepts, stories, and ideas that can help iwi to leaders, and present ministers finance, and other make past a difference through joining the public sector. usseek solve current and future challenges. We canof recover these memories. dignitaries. Many spoke offoresight. Ivan’s “sweetness”, ofisthe huge Have we created a space they can walk upright? Andlegacy Our hindsight can become ourwhere The challenge to ensure ofthis this humble servant. is mychange hope the Ivan that “collective memory” is trulyItreflective of allthat our stories, ofKwok the are we ready for public the transformational they will bring Memorial Lecture series become of this legacy – that diversity of our experience as awill nation – thatpart it is not partial or selective. when they do? generated by these will sustain a new Thisthe is akōrero challenge that, judging fromaddresses their session at help the IPANZ conference, our of new public servants, our rangatahi, are to, generation public sector leaders as we take ontruly thealive challenges which gives me enormous optimism for the future. of the future for the benefit of all.
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Public Sector journal is always happy to receive contributions from readers. If you’re working on an interesting project in the public sector or have something relevant to say about a particular issue, think about sending us a short article on the subject. Contact the editor Kathy Catton at editor@ipanz.org.nz
Correction On page 3 of the December 2021 journal, the introduction reads:
2 Simmons-Donaldson PUBLIC SECTOR September 2 PUBLIC SECTOR Winter 2023 2021 “Lana explores how Ara Poutama Aotearoa the Department of Corrections’ new approach is reducing over-representation of Māori in the corrections system …”