Standards volunteer experts recognised at Government House
Nearly 200 volunteer standards committee members from across New Zealand were recognised at Government House, Wellington, for their contribution to developing and maintaining the standards that underpin safety, quality and trade.
Her Excellency the Rt Hon Dame Cindy Kiro, Governor-General of New Zealand, hosted almost 200 Standards New Zealand committee volunteers at a Volunteer Recognition Luncheon at Government House Wellington on 30 July 2026. The event was attended by Hon Cameron Brewer, Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Small Business and Manufacturing, alongside Standards New Zealand leadership and volunteers from across the country.
The event celebrated the people behind New Zealand's standards system. Across the country, around 1,000 volunteer subject matter experts contribute their knowledge and experience to the development and maintenance of standards across sectors including construction, healthcare, manufacturing, agriculture, energy, digital technology and climate resilience. Their work helps support safety, quality, innovation and trade, while shaping the products, services and systems New Zealanders rely on every day.
In her address, Dame Cindy acknowledged the often unseen but essential role standards play in everyday life and the dedication of the volunteers, saying:
“With fittingly little flourish, New Zealand's first home-grown standard read: ‘NZSS 143 Galvanised (zinc-coated) steel fencing wire’. It seems appropriate that our earliest standard concerned No. 8 wire, a material that has come to symbolise not only New Zealand ingenuity and practicality, but also reliability. Through your work, and that of your predecessors over almost a century, standards have become part of the often-unseen infrastructure of daily life.”
Dame Cindy's full speech:
Speech for Standards New Zealand Volunteer Recognition Reception by the Rt Hon Dame Cindy Kiro(external link) — The Governor-General website
While Dame Cindy reflected on the role standards play in everyday life, Hon Cameron Brewer highlighted their contribution to New Zealand's economy and international competitiveness.
In his address, Hon Cameron Brewer noted that standards support productivity, innovation and consumer confidence while reducing barriers to trade and providing a foundation for economic growth. For a country that relies on global connections and export markets, standards help New Zealand businesses compete with confidence and connect more effectively with the world.
The event also highlighted the growing international contribution made by New Zealand standards volunteers through organisations such as ISO and IEC. Speaking at the luncheon, New Zealand Standards Executive Sanjai Raj highlighted the importance of New Zealand's participation in international standards development.
When New Zealand experts contribute internationally, they help shape standards rather than simply adopting them. This ensures New Zealand's expertise, practical experience and values are reflected in standards that support global trade, investment and international cooperation.
Sanjai said the effectiveness of standards depends on the willingness of experts from business, government, academia and the wider community to work together and contribute their knowledge in the public interest.
“The real strength of our standards system is not only found in the documents it produces. It is found in the people who come together to share their knowledge and expertise, test ideas, challenge assumptions, build consensus, and serve the wider public good.”
That emphasis on collaboration was echoed by National Manager Standards New Zealand Malcolm MacMillan, who said volunteer expertise is the foundation of New Zealand's standards system.
“Standards are built on collaboration, trust and the willingness of experts to share their knowledge in the public interest. Every standard represents countless hours of technical analysis, discussion and consensus-building. Today's recognition celebrates the people whose contributions help make New Zealand safer, more innovative and better connected to the world.”
Ramola Duncan, Senior Advisor International Engagement, who led the initiative to bring the recognition event to Standards New Zealand, said:
“Every standard begins with people. This initiative provided an opportunity to shine a spotlight on the people behind New Zealand's standards system. While standards are often recognised for their impact, this event celebrated the volunteers whose knowledge, experience and commitment help make that impact possible.”
From supporting safer buildings and more reliable products to strengthening international trade and consumer confidence, volunteer standards experts help create the foundations that allow communities and economies to thrive.
While standards are published as documents, they are built through the expertise, collaboration and public service of the volunteers who develop them. The recognition event celebrated the people whose contributions help make New Zealand safer, stronger and better connected to the world. Government House provided a fitting setting.
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