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Thank you for the opportunity to make some introductory remarks at the commencement of what I regard as a very important symposium.

May I start by commending the organisers and sponsors for bringing together a very constructive programme and some speakers of the highest calibre.

The rise of China and the growth of its influence on regional and global affairs has been one of truly remarkable phenomena of the past decade.

For New Zealand, the implications have been profound.

I want to commence tonight by thanking the Institute for its kind invitation to me to make this address.

The Institute extended the invitation for the very best of reasons: I suggested to them that they should do so.

I, in turn, made the suggestion for the very best of reasons: I wanted an opportunity to set out, for an informed audience, the sort of challenges that we confront in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade over the next few years and give some indication of the approach we are taking to meeting these challenges.

The Minister of Sport and Recreation Murray McCully is welcoming the agreement in principle to form a new entity to focus on high performance sport. The proposal to merge the high performance unit of SPARC and the two New Zealand Academies of Sport is the result of discussions between the three bodies over recent months.

Foreign Minister Murray McCully will host his Australian counterpart, Kevin Rudd, in Christchurch tonight and tomorrow for their twice-yearly meeting.

The Australian Foreign Minister will arrive in Christchurch this afternoon and spend time meeting with Australian personnel assisting with earthquake recovery and marking his respect for the victims of the earthquake.

Foreign Minister, Murray McCully, says the New Zealand government will provide one million dollars to support Red Cross relief efforts in Japan.

“The money will be provided to the Japanese Red Cross to promptly support its aid and relief operations in the parts of Japan that need help the most,” said Mr McCully.

“It has been ten days since the earthquake and tsunami but the affected people still face a dire situation. The government believes it is an important time for the international community to rally and support the Japanese,” he said.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs today lent New Zealand's support to military steps to implement UN Security Council Resolution 1973, which demanded an immediate and complete ceasefire in Libya.

"Gadaffi has been responsible for brutal acts of violence against the Libyan people," said Mr McCully.

"We fully understand the reasons why military actions have been undertaken to secure Libyan compliance with the terms of the resolution.”

Foreign Affairs Minister, Murray McCully, is welcoming the UN Security Council move to impose a No Fly Zone over Libya.

“While it is a necessary measure I am only concerned it will be a case of too little too late,” said Mr McCully.

The UN Security Council passed today a mandatory resolution imposing a No Fly Zone over the whole of the territory of Libya and called for an immediate ceasefire.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade has upgraded its advice for New Zealanders in Japan.

“Due to the ongoing risk of disruptions to essential services and the supply of goods we are now advising New Zealanders who do not have a pressing need to be in Tokyo, and affected provinces, to consider departing these areas,” said Foreign Minister Murray McCully.

Rugby World Cup Minister, Murray McCully, has announced a package of initiatives in response to Rugby World Cup matches being allocated away from Christchurch.

The government along with the International Rugby Board and the tournament organisers announced this afternoon Christchurch won’t host the matches because of a range of risks.

“We are acutely aware that without some initiative from the government AMI Stadium is unlikely to be in use for the 2012 season, due to the extensive damage to the uninsured turf,” said Mr McCully.

Rugby World Cup Minister, Murray McCully, says the government and other stakeholders have agreed the Christchurch Rugby World Cup matches will be moved out of the city due to unacceptable risks associated with maintaining the current programme.

“Today’s decision is made with regret and clearly is a blow to the people of Canterbury, who rightly pride themselves on being the home of New Zealand’s pre-eminent Super Rugby and NPC teams.”

Foreign Minister Murray McCully has expressed deep concern and sympathy to the people of Japan following a major earthquake off the northeast coast of Japan.

The earthquake, measuring some 8.8 on the Richter scale, struck at 6.46 pm New Zealand time on Friday 11 March.

“All New Zealanders are concerned to learn of this major quake which has caused extensive damage. Our thoughts are with the people of Japan at this moment as they endeavour to respond to this disaster," Mr McCully said.

Foreign Minister Murray McCully today confirmed that New Zealand citizens who wanted to depart Libya had all exited with the help of our international partners.

"We thank our friends the British Government, the United States Government, the Irish Government, and the Canadian Government, who provided extraordinary assistance to help evacuate the remaining New Zealanders from Libya," says Mr McCully.

Foreign Minister Murray McCully today confirmed that more than 900 international personnel from over 12 international contributors are working shoulder to shoulder with New Zealanders on the rescue operation in Christchurch following the devastating 6.3-magnitude earthquake. The rescue effort is supported by numerous international volunteers.

Search and rescue assistance received to date:

Minister of Foreign Affairs Murray McCully today welcomed specialist personnel from China who arrived in New Zealand this morning to strengthen the rescue and recovery operation following the devastating earthquake.

"We are very grateful for the contribution provided by our friends from China, the US, and the UK who have arrived in the past 12 hours. Each will provide a valuable boost to the efforts by New Zealand and international rescue workers in Christchurch," says Mr McCully.

Foreign Minister Murray McCully confirmed that New Zealand has grave fears that foreign nationals may be among the fatalities from Christchurch’s devastating earthquake.

One of the most damaged buildings is the CTV building which housed a private language school for foreign students called Kings Education, a regional television station and a nursing school and other businesses.

"The Minister of Tertiary Education, Hon Steven Joyce has today spoken with the Director of Kings Education John Ryder to offer any support the government can give.

Foreign Minister Murray McCully this morning confirmed that there are now 300 international search and rescue personnel in Christchurch, from four international contributors, working alongside New Zealanders to boost rescue efforts following the devastating earthquake.

Support from the United States is due to arrive overnight and from the United Kingdom tomorrow morning, boosting the number of search and rescue personnel by 130.

This is an update on assistance New Zealand has received from countries around the world for specialist search and rescue help following yesterday’s earthquake in Christchurch.

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Murray McCully today expressed New Zealand’s gratitude for the messages of condolence received and for the offers of assistance made by many countries to help New Zealand’s search and rescue efforts following yesterday’s earthquake in Christchurch.

Foreign Minister Murray McCully today says the situation in Libya is of grave concern as political unrest and violence escalates.

"New Zealand supports the right of the Libyan people to peacefully protest and seek greater democratic freedoms. We are receiving reports of the military using heavy weapons and aerial bombardment against protesters. This is deeply disturbing and unacceptable. We call on the government to refrain immediately from the excessive use of force," says Mr McCully.

“The road ahead: shaping the next decade of US/NZ cooperation”

May I start by extending a warm welcome to Assistant Secretary of State Kurt Campbell; Members of the United States Congress, distinguished delegates from both this and the other side of the Pacific.

The first decade of the 21st century ended on a high note for US/NZ relations with a successful visit by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and signature of the Wellington Declaration on 4 November 2010.

Foreign Minister Murray McCully has welcomed today’s announcement by the Japanese Government that its whaling fleet will stop whaling in the Southern Ocean and return home.

“The New Zealand Government and public strongly oppose whaling in the Southern Ocean. Clearly the withdrawal of the fleet is something that we welcome,” Mr McCully said.

“I hope that the early cessation of whaling for this season will allow time for constructive dialogue to resolve the international impasse on whaling issues.

New Zealand will provide $50,000 to support the recovery effort in Vanuatu following Cyclone Vania, Foreign Minister Murray McCully announced today.

"Cyclone Vania hit Vanuatu in late January. High winds and heavy rains caused damage to food crops, and there are also concerns around sanitation, shelter, and communication links.

"The cyclone compounded the impact of volcanic activity in 2009 and a drought in 2010. Vanuatu has also recently been affected by Cyclone Yasi.

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Murray McCully today extended New Zealand’s sympathies to US Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano following the fatal shooting of a United States immigration and customs enforcement agent this week in Mexico.

Secretary Napolitano will therefore be unable to attend the fourth US-NZ Partnership Forum in Christchurch from 20-22 February, as announced earlier this week.

Secretary General, your Excellencies, honoured guests, speakers and participants who have travelled to join us from across the Pacific, ladies and gentlemen.

Thank you for inviting me to address you today.

I want to take this opportunity to speak to you about the process we have underway to address some of the priorities of the Pacific region.

The Key Government was elected with a mandate to commit a greater share of our resources to our own region and shift the focus of our development assistance to give a greater emphasis to sustainable economic development.