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Good morning – it’s a pleasure to be here for the twentieth annual Education New Zealand conference. It happens against the backdrop of a very uncertain world -

I’m pleased and honoured to be here today celebrating with you. Today is a special day – we are marking the opening of the new Hobsonville motorway and Brigham Creek Extension – 9 km of safer new highway for Auckland.

As you know this new motorway runs from Upper Harbour Bridge to Westgate, completing the northern part of the Western Ring Route.

Thank you for the invitation to speak at your conference today

With the economy on the road to recovery, and the significant task ahead of us to rebuild Christchurch, it is an opportune time to meet and discuss how industry training can best help deliver the skills that we need as the economy moves forward.

The economy must become more competitive if we are to succeed.

Tertiary Education and Skills

It’s great to be here with you this afternoon.

As well as being Minister for Tertiary Education, I’m also Minister of Transport so it’s like the stars have aligned for me today.

We’re here to discuss two things that I am particularly passionate about – adult literacy and improving Auckland’s transport network, specifically through the construction of the Victoria Park Tunnel.

On the face of it they might seem unrelated.

They’re not. 

Good morning.  Thank you Chris and Connor for your warm welcome.  It is a pleasure to be invited to speak here at the fourth TUANZ Rural Broadband Symposium 2010. 

Thank you for having me along today to open this year's conference. This year's theme is ‘the learning journey'.

Good morning and thank you for inviting me to your conference again this year.

Good morning. It's an honour to be here today, my third visit to mark the final milestone for this important project.

Good evening everyone - thank you for the invitation to be here.

What an exciting occasion to be a part of - celebrating this future-focused partnership in tertiary education.

Good morning and thank you for the opportunity to make this opening address.

I move that this House notes the tragic loss of nine lives on Saturday in the air accident at Fox Glacier; and that the House expresses its sympathy and condolences to the victims' friends and f

Good afternoon - it's a real pleasure to be here. 

I'd like to thank Pat and Victoria University for hosting us here this morning. 

Thank you, Rosalie for your warm introduction and for welcoming me to the Tel.Con 11^th Annual Telecommunications and ICT Summit.  It is a pleasure to be invited to attend today as a

Good morning - it's a real pleasure to be here at a conference dedicated to two of my favourite things - economic prosperity and transport infrastructure.

Good morning - it's a real pleasure to be here for the Australasian Rail Association's second annual conference.

Thank you for inviting me to speak here today.

Kia ora and thank you for welcoming me here today. 

I acknowledge the passing of Lady Raiha Mahuta. My condolences to Tainui and my acknowledgments also to King Tuheitia.

Good morning - it's a real pleasure to be here.

Good morning - it's a real pleasure to be here.

Thank you Harry for that introduction.

I'd like to acknowledge:

• Hamilton MPs David Bennett, Tim Macindoe - who are constantly in my ear about the Waikato Expressway.

Good afternoon. I'm very proud to be here today, and to have the opportunity to meet some real life heroes.

Good afternoon and thank you for the opportunity to make this opening address.

Hwan yong harmny da.  Welcome.

I'd like to acknowledge KCC Standing Commissioner Hyung Tae-Gun and Senator Stephen Conroy. 

The Hon John Banks, Mayor of Auckland; Wayne McDonald, NZTA Regional Director Auckland and Northland; Steve Killeen, Northern General Manager Downer EDI Works, members of the construction team, oth