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In with the new - PM Opens New Defence House
10 April 2007
It was an early morning start for the personnel involved in the ritual opening of the new Defence House on Wednesday 28 March.
The ritual, to install the Mauri (lifeforce) to the building, involved Navy, Army and Air Force Maori Cultural Group personnel led by Kaumatua Rangitihi Tahuparae.
This poignant ceremony was well attended by Defence House personnel. The Te Tohunga Aho Rangi (ritual custodian) and the Kaitiaki Ranga (caretaker group) began on Level 7 and moved slowly down through each floor collecting each Kaitiaki Ranga as they descended. When the group reached the ground floor the conclusion of the ceremony was signaled with the sound of the mass Te Putatara (conch shell horns).
Later that day a large number of invited guests attended the opening ceremony in the Defence House lobby, including the Minister of Defence Phil Goff, Chief of Defence Force Lieutenant General Jerry Mateparae, Secretary of Defence John McKinnon, and senior Defence personnel.
In his address LT GEN Mateparae said, “The official opening of this new Defence House is another milestone in the ongoing strategy to build a modern, professional Defence Force”.
“As the blessing ceremony unfolded this morning, it crossed my mind how much our working environment is improved in comparison with the Stout Street building that we had occupied for over 60 years. We have caught up on six decades backlog in technology and work practices, and there is future-proofing that should see us through the next few years at least.
“The new Defence House has been designed to encourage communication and productivity. It provides a pleasant working environment, about which I have already received much positive feedback”, he said.
The Prime Minister completed the formal part of the opening ceremony. Ms Clark reiterated that after a number of years Defence finally has a purpose-built building, one that rivals the new Department of Conservation in its energy efficiency.
Ms Clark officially declared Defence House open and unveiled the building plaque etched into the marble pillar. Guests were then taken on tours of the building.
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