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

Rotorua Mayor Hon Steve Chadwick, FAO Assistant Director-General Mr Konuma, FAO Director of the Forest Economics Policy and Products Ms Eva Muller, Scion CEO Warren Parker and chair Mr. Su Chunyu.

Distinguished delegates and guests, industry and iwi leaders, local dignitaries, ladies and gentlemen.

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

Good afternoon everyone and thanks for the warm welcome.

It is great to be back here in Rotorua, my second visit in as many months.

I attended the WoodEXPO 2013 meeting in September - and recognise some familiar faces from that informative day!

Putting together conferences takes time and energy and I want to start off by acknowledging three key individuals who made today’s forum possible.

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

Good morning everyone and thank you for inviting me to open this important and timely meeting. Thank you to Francis (CEO of Grow Rotorua) for the warm welcome.

I bring you apologies from Hon Steven Joyce who was unable to be with you on this occasion, and asked me to speak on his behalf.

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

Good morning everyone and thanks to NZPork for inviting me to address you today.  I’d like to start by acknowledging Chairman Ian Carter, and other local and overseas industry representatives present here today.

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

Good morning everyone and thank you for inviting me to speak to you today.

I would like to begin by acknowledging NZIF President Dr Andrew McEwan, the NZIF Council, and conference organiser John Schrider. I’d also like to acknowledge the students here today from the University of Canterbury’s School of Forestry and the Wairiki Institute of Technology, as well as my fellow speakers.

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

I am very pleased to be here with you all this morning.

Before I begin I would like to thank Barry Foster and the Executive Council of the National Beekeepers Association for the opportunity to speak at this year’s conference. I would also like to take the time to thank the hosts and organisers, the Canterbury branch of the NBA, and Conference Secretary Linda Bray.

Thank you Grant (Grant Dodson – CEO City Forests Limited) for the kind welcome and for the invitation to speak to you this evening.

Tonight’s graduation ceremony is a joint initiative between the Southern Wood Council and Competenz and I would like to acknowledge the Competenz National Business Manager for Forestry, Marc Borland, and the industry representatives present.
I would like to begin by offering my congratulations to all the trainees for all their hard work and commitment.

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

Thank you Liz and Noeline for your kind welcome and for inviting me to open the Rural Women New Zealand 2013 Conference this evening.

It is my pleasure to be here today to celebrate your achievements as enterprising women, and as entrepreneurs and business owners.

Good afternoon everyone and thank you for inviting me here today. I’d like to start by acknowledging Chris Allen, President of the local branch, and also the sector representatives. I’d also like to acknowledge Angus McKay and the other councillors here today, as well as Jeanette Maxwell, Willy Leferink, Ian McKenzie and the zone committee.

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