Sir Roy, Peter Meikle, John Primmer, Mark Lind, Your worship, Mayor of Wellington - Kerry Predergast and distinguished guests - good evening.

It is my pleasure to join the James Cook Hotel in celebrating 30 years of success in Wellington.

30 years ago, the then Prime Minister, Sir Keith Holyoake, opened the new hotel. The James Cook was one of New Zealand’s few international hotels at the time and was, remarkably, the first new hotel in Wellington since the 1930’s.

The hotel was the dream of Peter Meikle and Sir Roy McKenzie, who had both travelled extensively and recognised the need in Wellington for a hotel of this quality.

However, the concept was so new to New Zealand, that the Licensing Control Commission could not fathom the desire of the owners to build a hotel without a public bar or a bottlestore!

All doubts over the hotel’s viability were addressed when, in only its second year of operation, it returned a profit.

Other hotels struggled to compete with the new accommodation standard, the redevelopment of many hotel sites was initiated, and a new era of hotel accommodation was begun in Wellington.

And now, 30 years on, James Cook continues to contribute to the Wellington tourism sector – a legacy of success that few tourism businesses can claim and one that has established the James Cook Hotel as a household name.

The James Cook Hotel has a unique list of achievements:

It is well utilised by Wellingtonians, the corporate, tourism and government sectors.

It has been a key accommodation, conference, function and dining venue for the capital city for 30 years.

There would be few in the local business sector who have not been to the James Cook for conferences, or business meals and events.

And many Wellingtonians demonstrate a strong affinity with the hotel, having celebrated special events and family occasions here over the last 30 years.

It is a major tourism employer: today there are 106 full-time employees and 108 part-time employees at the hotel.

It makes an important contribution to Wellington in other ways too, generating income and business for the hundreds of local companies supplying goods and services to the hotel.

And the hotel even has an important role as a public thoroughfare – with 3 and a half thousand people a day using the elevator link between Lambton Quay and The Terrace.

The James Cook’s long involvement in Wellington tourism has meant that it has seen the tourism industry as a whole develop, change and in recent times, flourish.

With the addition of attractions such as Te Papa and the Westpac Trust Stadium, and events such as the International Festival of the Arts and the Rugby Sevens, Wellington has become a truly world class destination. And the James Cook has played a significant part.

For its first 23 years, the James Cook was owned by Rangatira Ltd. The JR McKenzie Charitable Trust, one of New Zealand’s leading philanthropic organisations, was and is, a substantial shareholder in Rangatira Ltd and for many years, beneficiaries of the JR McKenzie Trust were funded from the profits of the James Cook Hotel.

One of the investment aims of the board of Rangatira was to provide seeding capital for new ventures, in order to improve employment for New Zealanders.

Clearly, the success of the James Cook Hotel has created a number of benefits, not just for its clientele and staff, but also for a great range of New Zealanders.

And now, with its new Singaporean owners managing the Hotel through Grand Central Management NZ Ltd, the James Cook is going through a significant refurbishment programme to maintain and enhance its very high standards.

I understand that the refurbishment includes a new foyer and reception area, a new café/bar, a business centre, a boardroom and a lounge dedicated to airline crews staying in the hotel – the first of its kind in Wellington.

I would like to offer my personal congratulations to the James Cook Hotel and all those associated with its 30 years of success. In an increasingly competitive market it is an achievement that certainly warrants celebration.

The Hotel’s contribution to the industry through the training and employing of staff, and hosting heads of state, local and international tourists, businesses and conferences, has been significant.

To Peter Meikle and Sir Roy McKenzie, you can be proud of the contribution your vision and determination has made to Wellington and to tourism. I am sure you have enjoyed seeing your dream develop into a true tourism success story.

And congratulations should also go to the entire Wellington tourism sector. Many of the industry representatives here have contributed to the success of tourism in our capital city and New Zealand. Your passion, vision and determination have created an environment where tourism businesses such as the James Cook have been able to thrive.

I wish the General Manager, John Primmer, and the James Cook Hotel continued success as an integral member of the Wellington business community and the New Zealand tourism sector.

Thank you.