Meghan Markle uses te reo in speech to celebrate 125 years of women's suffrage

Sunday, 28 October 2018

'Bravo, NZ' - Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, is full of praise in her speech celebrating the 125th anniversary of women's suffrage, and even gets support from the audience by starting off in te reo.

The Duchess of Sussex is being praised for using te reo Maori in her first speech in New Zealand.

Meghan and Prince Harry touched down in Wellington on Sunday for a four-day tour of the country.

Before meeting thousands of fans at Pukeahu National War Memorial, the couple were greeted with a traditional welcome on the lawns of Government House.

At a reception at Government House, hosted by Governor-General Dame Patsy Reddy, the royal said the country was universally praised for fighting for the rights of women.

Meghan Markle's Karen Walker-designed trenchcoat proved so popular with Kiwis it sold out online within 24 hours.

* The best moments from day one of the Royal Tour

* How to meet the royal couple while they are in New Zealand

* What will happen to all the gifts given to Harry and Meghan?**

Here is her speech in full:

Good evening everyone. Your Excellencies - Prime Minister, Mr and Mrs Bridges - honoured guests, ladies and gentleman, good evening - tena koutou katoa.

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, addresses a reception hosted by the Governor-General celebrating the 125th anniversary of women's suffrage in New Zealand.

Your Excellency, thank you for your warm welcome to Government House this evening, as well as for hosting me and Harry during our special time in New Zealand.

We are proud to be able to join you tonight in celebrating the 125th anniversary of women's suffrage in your country.

The achievements of the women of New Zealand who campaigned for their right to vote and were the first in the world to achieve it, are universally admired.

In looking forward to this very special occasion, I reflected on the importance of this achievement, but also the larger impact of what this symbolises. Because yes, women's suffrage is about feminism, but feminism is about fairness.

National leader Simon Bridges and his wife Natalie also met with the royals.

The Duchess is being praised for her use of te reo.

The couple met with Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern before the reception.

Suffrage is not simply about the right to vote but also about what that represents: the basic and fundamental human right of being able to participate in the choices for your future and that of your community, the involvement and voice that allows you to be a part of the very world that you are a part of.

And women's suffrage is not simply about the right to vote for women, but also about what that represents: the basic and fundamental right of all people, including those members of society who've been marginalised, whether for reasons of race, gender, ethnicity or orientation, to be able to participate in the choices for their future and their community.

So bravo New Zealand, for championing this right 125 years ago for the women who well deserve to have an active voice and an acknowledged vote, and for all of the people that this effort has paved the way for globally - we all deeply thank you.

In the words of your suffragette, Kate Sheppard: all that separates, whether race, class, creed or sex is inhuman and must be overcome.

Thank you all so much.