MAYOR’S OFFICE
AUCKLAND CITY

Moving Auckland Forward

Hon John Banks QSO
Mayor of Auckland City

18 October 2002

Mayoral speech notes: Tri-Services Parade celebrating Her Majesty the Queen’s Golden Jubilee

Your Excellency Dame Silvia Cartwright,
Rear Admiral, Peter McHaffie and Mrs McHaffie,
Commissioner of Police and Mrs Robinson,
British Consul General, Mr Stephen Turner,
Distinguished guests,
Members of the New Zealand Defence Force and New Zealand Police,
Deputy Mayor Hay and Council colleagues,
Ladies and gentlemen.

This is a wonderful day for Auckland. 2002 is a great year for New Zealand.

After more than half a century our country continues to be magnificently served by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Second, Queen of New Zealand.

Auckland City views this Tri-Services Parade as a very important opportunity for the City and our loyal defence services and police force to acknowledge Her Majesty’s enormous contribution to our country and her matchless sense of duty.

Upon the untimely death of her father King George the Sixth in 1952, a 21-year-old Princess Elizabeth, as she then was, vowed and I quote:

'I declare before you all, that my whole life, whether it be long or short should be dedicated to your service.’

That vow she has kept.

Her Majesty has worked tirelessly and has selflessly dedicated herself to the entire Commonwealth beyond the borders of Great Britain.

Member countries like ours are forever grateful that our gracious Queen’s focus has always been on the Commonwealth.

New Zealand proudly recognises Her Majesty as Queen of New Zealand and our Head of State.

She has done much to cement her right as Head of the Commonwealth. She continues to do a superb job, presiding over a very dynamic group comprising many very different nationalities.

This year we all celebrate the Queen’s Golden Jubilee. Britain’s four-day celebrations in June were a spectacular tribute to her and the Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Philip.

Her Majesty has visited New Zealand an impressive 10 times over the past five decades. She has watched New Zealand develop from a post-war rural outpost to an international destination.

Today’s celebrations are not only focusing on the Queen’s Golden Jubilee. Today we also acknowledge the strong and continuing links between New Zealand and Great Britain.

It is no accident that these two nations remain intrinsically linked. We owe much to our Queen - Queen Elizabeth. Today we thank Her Majesty and pledge our loyalty to more glorious years under her reign.

God save the Queen.

Ends

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