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Tonight’s event is one of the best demonstrations possible of farmers caring for their land and wanting to leave it in a better state for future generations.

It’s an event I’m proud to support and champion loudly to as many New Zealanders as possible.

This year has seen tensions rise between farmers and your critics and this is likely to continue as we get closer to the election. Tonight I want to say a few words about how we can tackle this divide and tell our story.

It’s great to be here tonight celebrating two important milestones for the Orange Roughy fishery.

The first is Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certification for several key orange roughy fisheries, and secondly to launch the book ‘Roughy on the Rise’ by Tim Pankhurst.

MSC certification is a great success and recognition for a fishery that was in real trouble in the early 1990s.

Thank you for the invitation to speak at today's forum in the great city of Brussels. What a fantastic opportunity to exchange ideas on the role agriculture plays in global sustainability.

It was a pleasure to hear from the previous speaker, Kofi Annan, given the wealth his experience brings to the conversation. I also look forward to hearing from my fellow speakers in the panel discussion on this vital issue. 

Mr Chairman – thank you for this opportunity and for Peru’s excellent hosting of this important event.

New Zealand has a formidable delegation here of business and Government representatives.

As a small economy in the South Pacific, engaging with the other 20 APEC economies is vitally important for us.

We take our role very seriously, and see it as an opportunity to engage and influence food security policies.

Introduction

Thank you for the invitation to be here today in the great state of Nebraska and to say a few words.

It’s very appropriate that we should be holding the 100th anniversary conference of the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA) in a state where agriculture is so important, just as it is in my country of New Zealand. As a farmer myself, it makes me feel right at home.

This is my third visit to the USA in the last 12 months.

E aku rangatira, tēnā koutou katoa. Ka nui te honore ki te mihi ki a koutou.

I would like to start by acknowledging:

• Apiculture New Zealand and the newly elected board members
• Scott Gallacher, Deputy-Director General, Regulatory & Assurance, MPI

It is a pleasure to be here today at the first ever Apiculture New Zealand National Conference.

It is great to see the establishment of Apiculture New Zealand, and the unification of the apiculture industry that this represents.

As you know, I’ve always said that biosecurity is my number one priority as Minister.

That’s because it underpins all of our other goals. We want to double the value of our primary sector exports by 2025, but we can’t do that unless we protect ourselves from pests and diseases.

Today I want to give a bit of context on what we’ve achieved over the last few years, the challenges ahead of us, and the importance of all sectors working together.

What we’ve done in recent years

Da jia hao

I would like to begin by saying how great it is to be back in China on my fourth visit, and what an honour it is to come to Harbin and the Heilongjian Province that has a proud history as an agricultural producer.

I have brought with me a strong dairy delegation, including John Wilson from Fonterra, Malcolm Bailey from DCANZ, Special Agricultural Trade Envoy Mike Petersen, and MPI Deputy Director General Roger Smith. 

Today’s event is about acknowledging the tough season dairy farmers are facing, bringing together all the support from different sectors into one place, and focussing on the broader outlook for the dairy sector.

There is no shortage of advice, guidance and support out there – from both Government and the wider industry.

So today we’re here releasing this new brochure on combining support for dairy farmers.

Outlook

I want to start by saying a few words on the wider outlook for the dairy sector.

Government’s Priorities for the New Zealand Forestry Sector [Slide 1 – title slide]

E āku rangatira, tēnā koutou katoa. Ka nui te honore ki te mihi ki a koutou.

Good morning. Thank you to (Dr) James (Buwalda) for the introduction, I am delighted to be here today.

I would also like to thank the New Zealand Forest Owners Association (FOA) for the invitation to present, as well as to the other conference organisers:

Good morning. As Minister Smith has just outlined, we have made a lot of progress over the last few years in improving how we manage our freshwater. But there is more to do.

We are an ambitious Government and we believe we can do better, economically and environmentally.

The consultation document we are releasing today sets out the next steps in this goal, with 23 initiatives.

E aku rangatira, tēnā koutou katoa. Ka nui te honore ki te mihi ki a koutou.

It is a pleasure to be here again to discuss challenges facing the dairy sector.

I have just been at the launch of ANZ’s Insights Report ‘Hungry for growth’ where I spoke about the key challenges of distance and scale for New Zealand’s food industry.

Distinguished guests,

It is my pleasure to speak here today. I want to thank the Development Research Centre (DRC) for inviting me here to participate at this Summit.

Today I will discuss the role that New Zealand, as a regional partner in the Asia Pacific, can play with China in meeting the challenges of food security and food safety.

As China liberalises its economy and raises living standards, its demand for raw materials and food for its 1.3 billion population will have a significant impact on global agricultural markets.

E aku Rangatira Tena koutou katoa.

Ka nui te honore ki te mihi ki a koutou

Distinguished audience Greetings to you all.

It is my pleasure to speak with you at this time.

Tonight I will talk about New Zealand’s forests, and how the New Zealand government is supporting the industry in a focused and targeted way.

We have specific challenges to address, and we want to add value to the industry as a whole.

This Congress is all about collaboration and learning from each other.

Thank you for the invitation to open the 2015 New Zealand Seafood Industry Conference.

Your industry is vital to the economy, especially regional economies, directly providing 8000 jobs and earning more than $1.5 billion in export revenue each year.

This year’s conference has a great theme. “Sustainable Seafood – Adding Value” is a perfect summary of where the wider primary sector - not just seafood - needs to head, and matches with our priorities as a Government.

It’s an exciting time for your industry which is having a really strong year. Let me give you a few highlights worth mentioning:

• Apple & Pear export revenue exceeded $570 million last year.
• Fruit exports are worth $2 billion
• Horticulture exports are now worth just over $4 billion, and have grown 17 percent growth over three years.

Overall, I believe your industry’s success doesn’t get the coverage or kudos it deserves.

The New Zealand Pipfruit industry is world leading. It produces the safest and tastiest fruit for the world’s most discerning customers.

Good evening. Thank you Julian Raine, Horticulture New Zealand President, for that introduction. It is a pleasure to join you this evening in recognising excellence and future leaders of the horticulture industry.

I would particularly like to acknowledge outgoing Chief Executive Peter Silcock for all his contribution to the industry over the past 30 years.

Tonight I want to talk to you briefly about the long-term value that can be created by recognising talent and growing leaders.

A growing industry

Good morning and thank you all for the opportunity to speak to your annual conference here this morning.

I would like to begin by acknowledging your President, Dr William Rolleston; Chief Executive, Graham Smith; members of your National Board; and all other members here today.

My congratulations go to Dr Rolleston who has just been elected as the Vice-President of the World Farmers Organisation.

I met with newly elected WFO President Evelyn Nguleka and Executive Director Marco Marzano in Europe recently.

The title of my speech today is "Managing Through Tough Times".

I came up with the idea of this function when I was out running about six weeks ago and felt the time was right for the Government to communicate two very important messages to our farming families and communities.
 
Firstly, I want to acknowledge that these are challenging times for many farmers and the wider rural community, particularly in the dairy sector, but that we expect much improved conditions in the longer term.
 

It is great to have the opportunity to address this 39th session of FAO.

I'd first like to acknowledge Samoan Minister Le Mamea Ropati who is doing a great job chairing the conference.

I attended a wonderful dinner on Saturday night with the South Pacific countries. This proved to be a valuable opportunity to share ideas and engage socially over some lovely Italian food.

I acknowledge that FAO is increasing its focus on small island states and the unique challenges they all face. New Zealand endorses this approach.

E aku rangatira, tēnā koutou katoa. Ka nui te honore ki te mihi ki a koutou.

It is a pleasure to speak at the conference dinner this evening.

This is the first time I have had the opportunity to talk with you all as a group since the election and since again taking responsibility for the forestry portfolio.

For almost two and a half years now I have visited our regions and spoken to a wide range of people in the forestry industry to help me gain a better understanding of how the forestry and wood sector works, and where the potential opportunities lie.

E aku rangatira, tēnā koutou katoa. Ka nui te honore ki te mihi ki a koutou.

Good morning everyone, and thank you for joining us here today.

Before I get started I would like to thank Jamie Falloon for hosting us on his property.

I also want to extend a welcome to your local MP Alastair Scott and thank the hard working staff at the Ministry for Primary Industries who have put this event in place.

Greetings and welcome. Obviously this week has been a fairly busy one as we deal with an appalling threat to sabotage our food products.

The Government has been well-prepared for this and we believe any risk is low. It could well be a hoax, but we are taking it seriously.

We now have a comprehensive new 1080 testing regime for dairy products that gives us a high degree of confidence. MPI has also analysed the supply chain in detail and worked with manufacturers to put in place additional security measures

E rau rangatira ma   

Kua tai mai nei tēnei huihuinga mo tēnei kaupapa tino nui

Tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou katoa.

Ko Jo Goodhew toku ingoa.

Ko ahau te Minita Tuarua o Manatū Ahu Matua i te haepapa mo nga ngaherehere.

Welcome to this beautiful location, and historic event.

Thank-you to the Incorporation for my warm welcome here today.

I would like to start by acknowledging, from the incorporation: