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Fifteen years ago, following the formation of the first National-led coalition under MMP, three members of Parliament were invited by Ngati Hine to Otiria Marae. Each member was presented with a gift. Two of the gifts were weapons of war, one was a waka huia. The three members were Rt Hon Winston Peters, Hon Tau Henare and myself. There is no prize for guessing who received the waka huia.

The kaumatua told me to fill this treasure box with those things I most valued from my Parliamentary life. So, what are they?

Tonight will be the last time I address your gathering. In November, I will be stepping down from politics.

I would like to take this opportunity to put what I have done over the last two and a half years, and what I intend to do before this year ends, into a wider context.

But before I begin I would like to take this time to acknowledge the devastating effects of the earthquakes in Christchurch and Japan.

New Zealand’s prosperity will be built through engagement with international science. We need to connect our ideas, research and innovation with the global economy to fully realise the benefits.

International science linkages are a hallmark of leading small economies. Countries as diverse as Finland, Denmark and Singapore have grown their economies through a combination of smart thinking and international collaborations that stimulate ideas, transfer knowledge and ultimately boost high-value exports.

 I want to start by acknowledging the immense amount of hard work that has gone into opening this new facility. 

Congratulations and well done to the staff and board of Canterbury Scientific.

The Government is committed to science and innovation, and that commitment has seen us embark on a significant programme of change. 

Today I want to take the opportunity to talk with you about those changes.  I would also like to talk about what those changes will mean for a small, innovative company like Canterbury Scientific.

Today’s launch of the Ministry of Science and Innovation is the latest step in the most intense development of our science strategy in the last 20 years.

When this Government came into office, we knew that New Zealand needed to get more out of our science and innovation system. 

In May this year, the Government announced a significant funding boost for business research and development (R&D). $234m over four years was set aside in new money for several initiatives.

All this was done with a view to grow New Zealand’s economy through science and innovation.

It is very clear to us that New Zealand can only be a player on the world stage if we know how to outsmart the competition.

 I welcome this timely visit of the OECD to New Zealand.  Over the last two years we have made the most significant fundamental changes that New Zealand’s science and innovation systems have seen in the last 20 years.  These changes, although important, are only steps in a continuous journey of improvement.

The OECD has provided invaluable information and input around best practice in science and innovation policy.

In June I met the OECD’s Deputy Secretary-General and Chief Economist, Pier Carlo Padoan. 

This morning marks a significant step forward in New Zealand’s medical and research infrastructure. This new 3T Skyra MRI scanner is the most advanced machine of its type in Australasia. 

The capabilities provided by this machine will have very real benefits for our people. Babies throughout New Zealand and the South Pacific that are born with significant heart defects will be scanned by this machine. Adult heart patients will also benefit. The information it will provide is a quantum step up on what has been achievable before.

I would acknowledge the organisers of the official launch of the CleanTech centre. Thank you for inviting me to be a part of this event, and to speak today.

I want to acknowledge the role of He Waka Tāngata and the Oxygen Group in organising the Running Hot Conference and helping develop a connected and interdisciplinary research culture in New Zealan

Our economy is open and, by world standards, lightly regulated.  New Zealanders are by and large well-educated, intelligent and open to fresh ideas.  Many of them come up with brilliant,

First, I acknowledge the organisers of this year's 20th Queenstown Molecular Biology meeting, led by Professor Peter Shepherd.

The launch of this IBM p575 POWER6 supercomputer is not just about a machine. It is about NIWA's commitment to science.

It is a pleasure to be here tonight to present the Fulbright Awards for 2010. 

Thank you all for coming.

I want to do two things this morning.

First, I am going to announce the research and science component of next week's Budget.

Good evening.  I would like to start by acknowledging Rob Fenwick, the Chair, and Lou Sanson, Chief Executive of Antarctica New Zealand.

Thank you for inviting me to open your conference, and in particular thanks to Phil Lester. 

Science is taking centre stage under this Government.

Thank-you to the council of the Angel Association for inviting me to address you. 

I would like to thank the Deutscher Akademischer Austausch Dienst/the German Academic Exchange Service for inviting me to address the Alumni Meeting today.

I thank the organisers of the Higher Education Summit and Expo 2010 for inviting me to address this summit.

I thank the Medical Technology Association of New Zealand for inviting me to address the MedTech Forum.

I thank Jane Speirs for inviting me to address you this morning.