Talofa lava, Malo e lelei, Fakalofa lahi atu, Ni sa bula vinaka, Namaste, Kia orana, Ia Orana, Gud de tru olgeta, Taloha ni, Talofa, Kia ora tatou. Warm Pacific greetings to members of the diplomatic corps, to my Parliamentary colleagues, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen.

Thank you Neil for your welcome and kind words.

New Zealand's engagement with the Pacific has been a particular priority for the Rt Hon Winston Peters as Foreign Minister. As you know, the Minister is unwell. He asked me come tonight on his behalf, and he sends you his warm greetings.

It is a pleasure to be here tonight to launch Pacific Futures, edited by Michael Powles and published by Pandanus Books with support from the Pacific Cooperation Foundation and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

New Zealand is a Pacific nation and the people of the Pacific are our neighbours and kin.

The Pacific region has been facing some turbulent times over the last few years. So, it is timely to reflect on our Pacific Futures.

This book is a valuable contribution to our understanding of the Pacific region.

When I looked throught the many contributions to this book, describing the issues that the people of the Pacific are facing, I thought of the words of Albert Wendt.

“So vast, so fabulously varied a scatter of islands, nations, cultures, mythologies and myths, so dazzling a creature, Oceania deserves more than an attempt at mundane fact; only the imagination in free flight can hope – if not to contain her – to grasp some of her shape, plumage and pain.”

We often recognise the wonderful, colourful plumage of Oceania - the Pacific. We find it harder to recognise the pain.

This book moves beyond mundane facts, and indeed talks to us of the pain of the Pacific. But it also talks, optimistically, about the future.

It is particularly appropriate that Michael Powles should edit such a volume on the Pacific. I am sure many of you are aware of Michael’s expertise, and his family connection with the Pacific.

Not only did his distinguished diplomatic career include postings to the region, the United Nations and to China, Michael also has lived and worked in the region. More recently he served as the founding Chairman of New Zealand's Pacific Cooperation Foundation.

It is under the auspices of the Pacific Cooperation Foundation, that this volume has been planned, prepared and published.

Congratulations to all those involved.

It is a credit to the Pacific Cooperation Foundation that such a broad spectrum of academics, practitioners and professionals in the Pacific has been drawn together to contribute to Pacific Futures.

The quality of the contributors, from beginning to end, speaks volumes.

What stands out about the many contributors to the twenty two chapters of the book, is that so many are by people of the Pacific.

Bishop Jabez Bryce, Sir Mekere Morauta, Judge Tuiloma Neroni, Tuilaepa Aiono Sailele Maliegaoi and Ratu Joni Madraiwiwi, are pre-eminent and respected Pacific leaders. They provide valuable insights.

Added to these ‘insider’ perspectives, are the views of several leading Pacific academics from around the region.

For example, Professor John Henderson, a widely respected expert on the Pacific, contributed the first chapter with a detailed analysis of current concerns of governance and consititutional issues.

The breadth of contributors is matched by the range of themes. From insights into political and constitutional challenges, to social and economic challenges, climate change and development, and to insights into finding Pacific solutions.

This book brings new light to the depth of the inter-relationships and policy challenges, and opportunities that confront the Pacific region.

In the final chapter, Solomon Islanders Dr Transform Aqorau, Legal Consul to the Forum Fisheries Agency, notes that it is not at all difficult for the Pacific Island states to establish a bright future, and he adds that the first step for this to occur is that we must have a clear vision of hope.

Our vision and hope for the future is strengthened by works such as Pacific Futures. I hope you will all find it an inspiring and uplifting read.

It is my pleasure to formally launch 'Pacific Futures'.

Thank you.