South Taranaki, second in entrance-exit, third in poi, fourth in ancient item and action song, and fourth in aggregate N.P.S. never felt on the many maraes and at the many Maori gatherings my wife and I have been privileged to attend. After all, there should be no strangers in the world—only friends we have not met! I came across a few words the other day which seem relevant to this concept. They read— I sought my soul; my soul I could not see I sought my God; my God eluded me I sought my brother, and found all three. ‘This discovery of our brothers should not be all that difficult. After the Captain Cook Bicentenary Celebrations I used to say to school children, “I would advise you, as soon as you can and as much as you can, to go out and do exactly what Captain Cook did—discover New Zealand!” It is high time we went out and discovered New Zealanders! We all live in a country much blessed by nature—a country of incomparable scenery, of equable climate, well-stocked with food and with facilities for leisure and recreation unequalled in the world; a country with enormous developmental potential, an age-old legal system, a first-class health service, great social amenities and a highly comprehensive educational system. It is this last—our educational facilities, which if fully used and appreciated could supply the answer to most of today's problems. The opportunities are all there, but they need acceptance and this applies particularly to you—my Maori friends. You know, as I know, that with a full and proper education there is nothing you cannot achieve. Go to it! ‘But let me revert to this Festival—a Festival of joy and happiness, of sunshine and of pleasure. And there is one matter. (I nearly said ‘little matter’ but that would be utterly wrong.) to which I must refer. The Festival is the brain-child of Reverend Kingi Ihaka—it is he who nursed it from the inception of the idea—it is he with his bubbling enthusiasm, his flair for organisation and his slave-driving tactics, who has been, admittedly with many good friends, advisers, and helpers, responsible for the complex administration that has brought us all together today. We would all wish to thank him most gratefully and to congratulate him. “He amorangi ki mua”—it is good to have a priest in front! I know his greatest reward would be for the success of this Festival to justify it becoming an annual event—spreading its beneficent influence more and more over this our country. So let there be “Aroha, mai, aroha atu”—love coming towards us, love going out from us. ‘I can assure you all, there are few things I have done in this country which have given me greater pleasure, greater pride or a greater sense of privilege than officially to declare open this First National Polynesian Festival. Kia toa, kia kaha, kia ora.’