I hope to meet more of you this evening while taking the opportunity to outline what the Government is doing to help lift the building and construction sector out of recession.

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16 June, 2009

Retirement Villages Association Annual Conference

The current economic climate has brought difficulties for the retirement villages sector but under the guidance of the Retirement Villages Association and others, supported by this government, operators should be confident of a healthy future.

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4 June, 2009

Launch of the National Register of Archives and Manuscripts and Formal Farewell to Dianne Macaskill, Chief Executive Archives NZ

Good evening everyone. I am delighted to be here to both acknowledge Dianne Macaskill, the Chief Archivist and Chief Executive of Archives New Zealand and to launch the new National Register of Archives and Manuscripts.

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3 June, 2009

Launch of IPENZ Coolstore Engineering design guide

I am pleased to be here tonight to launch the IPENZ coolstore engineering design guide.

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7 May, 2009

Auckland Registered Master Builders Association

I value every opportunity I get to meet Federation members because it’s a chance to get to know first-hand the issues confronting you and your businesses as you attempt to tough-out the current economic climate.

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6 May, 2009

Energy Trusts of NZ Autumn Conference and Dinner

Today my talk will cover three areas: Energy supply; Simplifying regulation and allowing informed decision making; Homes of the future

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16 April, 2009

Registered Master Builders Federation AGM

You meet during a very difficult time and the challenges you face should not be underestimated. The fortunes of the New Zealand economy are bound up with the fortunes of the building sector. When you are prospering we know New Zealand must be too. But of course the reverse is also true as recent experience has shown.

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6 April, 2009

National Steel Framed Housing AGM

Steel framing is a small but growing alternative to wood. It has obvious benefits - its strength and durability for a start. Competition is good for all of us. It gives consumers greater choice and can reduce prices and that must be a good thing. I want your businesses to grow so that the consumer can have that choice.

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6 April, 2009

Building Officials Institute New Zealand Conference, Convention Centre, Christchurch

Let me say at the start that I acknowledge the role you play in helping to ensure buildings are safe, healthy and fit for purpose. Everyone has an interest in seeing the building sector prosper so that it delivers what New Zealanders want - quality, good value homes and buildings. This cannot be achieved without well-trained, experienced building professionals making timely and good quality decisions

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4 April, 2009

NZ Society for Earthquake Engineering Conference

New Zealand is a world leader in earthquake-prone building design. That’s in part due to its geographical and geological location but it’s also due to the skill and ingenuity of its engineers, designers and builders

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31 March, 2009

Starter home design competition awards ceremony

I was excited when I first heard a competition was being organised for innovative designs for an affordable home. I thought it was a great idea and I have to say that when I saw the entries a few weeks ago I wasn’t disappointed. I was blown away by the quality of the work.

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27 March, 2009

Regional Employment Summit – Recession proofing your business

The Prime Ministers Summit and this Regional Job Summit are about gaining a better understanding of the effects of the downturn on the local economy and to come up with practical initiatives to help retain jobs or develop new opportunities.

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26 February, 2009

Manukau Building Consultants Client Function

Today is a great opportunity for me to listen and learn from those at the sharp end of building and construction – consenting authorities and those that use their services.

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20 February, 2009