I feel very privileged to be here today to honour and celebrate the years of hard work, discipline and achievement that you, those who will graduate have put in.
You have had the opportunity to attend UNITEC, NZ’s largest polytechnic that is held up for its excellence in so many fields.
Its real added value is that it is able to combine not only high class learning and knowledge, but the practical application of that understanding, so that in the various workplaces that each of you go to, you’ll be able to hit the ground running.
And, UNITEC is also situated in Mt Albert, perhaps the most wonderful electorate in New Zealand.
And I’m very pleased that UNITEC and Mt Albert are collaborating on a number initiatives that will bring it and the surrounding community closer together. Because each can breathe life into the other.
But this day is for you, the graduates of today – and for your families and friends to feel rightly proud too – because I imagine that many of you relied on the love and love and support of others to get you through – and possibly their sacrifice.
So I hope you, the graduates, give those who might have suffered with you on this journey of learning a big hug and say thank you.
One of the privileges of speaking at a graduate ceremony is that you get a chance to give some unsolicited advice to a captive audience. And, I don’t want to miss that opportunity.
It’s been some time since I graduated, but I’ve seen a little bit of life in that time, often in some pretty rough places. In fact for most of the last 20 years I’ve worked in many of the world’s worst wars and famines for the United Nations and other organisations.
If someone had told me when I graduated that that was where I was likely to end up I would have thought they were crazy.
In fact, some of you here might think you know exactly what you’re going to do in life and that’s great. Though, expect the odd surprise. But most of us don’t have any clue. I’ve spent most of my life wondering what I was going to do when I grew up.
Four months ago, I was in Iraq working for the United Nations. I was heading a $2 billion rehabilitation budget and in charge of several hundred people. We had built or rebuilt several hundred schools, quite a few hospitals, three power stations and a host of other things.
It wasn’t the most pleasant of environments – there was a war going on and a number of people were trying rather hard to kill us, but it was a very satisfying career. And I loved my job.
Then late one night, while I was sitting in a sandbagged room in Baghdad, I got a call asking if I’d like to stand as an MP for Mt Albert. I left the UN came back to NZ, was selected as a candidate and went through a pretty tough by-election before coming an MP not yet 3 months ago.
Now I sit in Parliament on the backbenches as part of the opposition. The only advantage having a seat that far back is that I get a pretty good view of the back of Rodney Hide’s head and can slip out to the toilet without being noticed.
Many people asked me, why on earth, I’d leave a promising and lucrative career in the UN to become a politician at the end of the world.
I’ll answer that, but before I do, I want to give three pieces of advice as you head out into the future.
So here’s my advice – don’t’ worry none of them is that I think you should be a politician.
First, be passionate about what you do. Listen to this (head), but follow this. Follow your heart.
When you’re passionate about something, you enjoy it, work harder and will be much happier for it. Follow your dreams.
Second, take the risks. The things I regret in life are those things that I didn’t do – not those I did. That’s not to say I don’t regret a few things that I’ve done. But when I didn’t feel brave enough, or ready enough to have a go at – those are the things which a little while later I thought, I wish I’d had a go, I think I could have done it. Angry with myself. So, my advice, have a go, stretch yourself.
Elizabeth Kubler-Ross wrote a book, called ‘On Death and Dying’ who interviewed people at the end of their lives. An old lady looking back on her life said she wished she’d eaten more chocolate and less brown rice. Lived a bit more on the edge, taken a few more chances, not gone the safe route.
And, finally, whatever job, or career you do, see it as something bigger than your own self interest. Generous with your advice, helping a colleague, doing the right thing for your organisation or office, not just to benefit you. Contribute to the community. Give a little more, not because it helps you, but because it
That ‘s not to be own yourself. Not just getting you further up the career, but somteing Think the people I admire most in the world worked for something bigger than themselves. They’ve thought beyond
That’s not to ask you all to be Mother Theresa or Nelson Mandela, but think bigger than you.
So, why did I leave a successful career in the UN and return to NZ as a backbench MP? Because it was a new and something I’d never done before, because, I knew I’d almost certainly regret it if I didn’t have a shot, and I believed that I can do something positive, this time for my country.
Because I’m a pretty passionate New Zealander – and I hope you are too.
So love what you do, whatever it is. Get really good at it. Live boldly and don’t .
Once again, my congratulations to the graduands today. Savour the moment, you’ve deserved it, and don’t forget to give those who helped you along the way a big hug.
Thank you.