Displaying 1 - 24 of 129 results.

Good morning.

It is a pleasure to be here at the Fourth Data Hui.  As Minister of Statistics, I see these event as a golden opportunity to discuss the challenges and opportunities we all face in the modern data environment.

I often talk about the magic of statistics.  To me, that means data and statistics have the power to inform and enhance many areas of our lives, helping NGOs, businesses and government make better decisions.

  • Craig Foss
  • Statistics

Good afternoon and thank you for the invitation to speak at the Government Economics Network today.

For as long as can be remembered, Governments have used data to inform economic policy.

Forecasts and robust modelling sit comfortably alongside fiscal policy. Detailed economic data stretching back into the nineteenth century has helped inform future economic policy and its impacts.

  • Amy Adams
  • Justice

Just a few days ago I marked the anniversary of my eighth year as Prime Minister and my tenth as leader of the National Party.

Such an occasion seems a fitting time to not only take stock of the past 10 years, but to look forward.

Being leader of both the party and the country has been an incredible experience.

Along with my Cabinet and caucus colleagues, we steered the country through the global financial crisis which was arguably the worst recession since the Great Depression.

  • John Key
  • Prime Minister

Kia ora tatou.

I am very excited to be here to celebrate the launch of Te Puna Foundation.

The Foundation is the start of a wonderful new chapter in the National Library story and for the people of New Zealand.

For Aotearoa to thrive as a nation, for its people to become all they can be and achieve their potential, we need to unlock the knowledge held within the National Library.

  • Peter Dunne
  • Internal Affairs

The New Zealand economy is doing extremely well, because of trade liberalisation, not in spite of it. We are one of the most open economies in the world.

Our economic performance is the envy of many countries, certainly our closest neighbour and largest trading partner Australia and many EU member states.

GDP growth this year was 3.6 per cent and is forecast to remain between 3 and 3.5 per cent for a number of years to come.

  • Todd McClay
  • Trade

Ladies and Gentlemen

In my eight years serving as Foreign Minister I can’t think of a more interesting time to be addressing this group.

We are entering period of global uncertainty on a number of fronts.

Populism and nationalism are on the rise in many quarters.

During my occasional visits to New Zealand I am often asked which countries I have been to where the economy is in such good shape and the political scene is so stable. The answer, of course, is nowhere.

  • Murray McCully
  • Foreign Affairs

"It gives me great pleasure to be here today to welcome you all to this, the first national forum on advance care planning.

I appreciate the opening words of Dr Barry Snow and Leigh Manson and found Kirstin’s story inspiring – a story that has set the scene for the next couple of days.

As many of you know, advance care planning helps people prepare for the future and provides an opportunity to have a say about treatment planning.

  • Peter Dunne
  • Health

Energy and Environment Plenary

I’d like to start by acknowledging:

  • Simon Bridges
  • Energy and Resources
  • Transport

"Kia ora koutou and good morning.

Thank you, Brendan for your introduction.

I do appreciate the invitation from Paramedics Australasia to open this year’s annual conference, not only as Associate Health Minister, but also as someone who has a close relationship with the ambulance and emergency services sector, through my primary portfolio responsibility as Minister of Internal Affairs.

  • Peter Dunne
  • Health

Tena koutou katoa. Welcome. It’s great to be here with so many people who are working hard to give Kiwi kids the best possible education.

Four years ago, I established the National Cross Sector Forum as a way for key stakeholders to get together and talk about the most important issues in education. I value this forum as a vehicle for me, as Education Minister, to be able to update you on the education work programme, to get your feedback and advice, and for you to interact with the government’s education agencies.

  • Hekia Parata
  • Education

Introduction

Thank you Dr Hein Stander for the introduction, it’s great to be here with you today. I’d like to acknowledge all the members of the ASMS.

General overview

Given recent international events, and that this is my final speech to ASMS before next year’s election, it’s appropriate to reflect on a few big picture observations.

We’ve seen some remarkable events and political turbulence around the world in recent months with Brexit in the UK and a divisive election in the US.

  • Jonathan Coleman
  • Health

Thank you for inviting me to give the opening address today.

Your organisation plays an influential role on New Zealand’s tax policy settings through your input into the work programme and through your submissions to public consultation so I value the opportunity to come and speak to you all. 

Today I would like to share with you some of the main points contained in the recently updated tax policy work programme.

The work programme has been agreed to by Cabinet as the Government’s tax focus to the end of 2017. 

  • Michael Woodhouse
  • Revenue

Thank you to the Defence Industry Association for inviting me to open the Forum with this speech.

This is my first time attending the Forum, and I can see from the programme that you have an excellent two days of meetings and discussion ahead of you.

The Government released its second Defence White Paper in June.

So it is worth briefly reflecting on the New Zealand’s defence policy and the environment that has helped shape it.

  • Gerry Brownlee
  • Defence

 

TPP Bill: Third Reading Speech

 

I move, that the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement Amendment Bill be now read a third time.

  • Todd McClay
  • Trade

Good morning.

Can I start by acknowledging Martin Cocker, chief executive of NetSafe.

I would like to welcome you all to New Zealand’s first conference focused on harmful digital communications.

It’s an important topic and one that matters now more than ever before. Bullying is not a new problem but its reach and its impact have increased considerably in the digital age. I’m sure many of us either have, or know of someone who has, been a victim of online bullying.

  • Amy Adams
  • Justice

Good morning

First, can I say how pleased I am to be here.

One of the great things about a country with the size and innovative culture of New Zealand is that when technology shakes up a sector we can get the key people together in one room to share intelligence, identify opportunities and build relationships.

I’d also like to acknowledge the work of Binu Paul and his team in making this day happen.

  • Paul Goldsmith
  • Commerce and Consumer Affairs

Tēnā koutou, hello and good morning ladies and gentlemen.

Thank you to the Government of the Republic of Korea and the Ministry for the Interior for hosting both the Government 3.0 forum and the 3rd Digital 5 Ministerial Summit – and kia ora to my fellow D5 Ministers.

I am delighted to join you today to talk about my beautiful country, New Zealand, and how our government is using the enormous potential offered by technology to transform the way we deliver services to our citizens.

  • Peter Dunne
  • Internal Affairs

Health Minister Jonathan Coleman says progress continues to be made to reduce the wait time for a colonoscopy, as DHBs prepare for the roll-out of the national bowel screening programme.

“Delivering better cancer services is a priority. Bowel cancer is the second most common cause of cancer death in New Zealand,” says Dr Coleman.

“The latest data shows 3,850 patients received a colonoscopy in August 2016 – that’s an increase of 45 per cent compared to 2,649 colonoscopies carried out in July 2013.

  • Jonathan Coleman
  • Health

Good morning. Thank you for inviting me to speak to you today. This is my first address to you as Revenue Minister and it’s a great opportunity to meet some of the people who help implement government policies.

As the people who ensure that wages are paid correctly and on time, you are a very important group for the government and for the economy. A lot rides on you being able to do your jobs accurately and efficiently.

So I’d like to spend a bit of time today telling you about how the Government aims to help you in your important work.

  • Michael Woodhouse
  • Revenue

Firstly I would like to start by acknowledging the following people from the UFBA here today: your President, Russell Anderson, and Vice-President, Alan Kittelty; your Chief Executive Officer, George Verry; Rick Braddock, Chairperson of the UFBA Board, and Patron of the UFBA, Dame Margaret Bazley; Deputy chair of the UFBA Board, Glenn Williams and Board members Nigel Lilley, Bill Butzbach, and Matt Cleaver.

  • Peter Dunne
  • Internal Affairs

It’s great to be here at this very important conference and to have come on stage in such a dramatic fashion in the Vector Tesla, expertly driven by Nadine [Chalmers Ross].

The Government is investing more than ever in transport infrastructure to keep a growing New Zealand moving and I think it’s true to say after periods of under-investment, if you take just the National Land Transport Fund, this Government has more than doubled to over $4 billion each year.

  • Simon Bridges
  • Transport

Kia ora tātou, talofa lava and warm greetings to you all. Firstly, my thanks to Mr Mitch Cuevas and the NZSMI for your invitation to attend your annual conference once again. I would like to acknowledge Scott Milne, Executive Director of SMI, and all the distinguished guests here today. It is my pleasure to be able to address you on a few relevant topics to your conference. As a starting point, as with any government, a top priority for us is improving access to health care and delivering better health services.

  • Peter Dunne
  • Health

Tena koutou katoa.

I’d like to acknowledge our mana whenua and our hosts here at Victoria University.

As leading business men and women you know well that now, more than ever, we are a country of global citizens. And that how we embrace the world and its needs will have a clear correlation with how prosperous we will be as a nation.

On a recent trip overseas I was reminded how quickly education systems are evolving and how important it is that New Zealand not just keep up, but carve our own pathway in these areas.

  • Hekia Parata
  • Education

Good afternoon everyone.

Delegates, welcome to New Zealand.

I hope you have a great time at the conference and get to enjoy some leisure time in this wonderful country we call home.

This is the first time New Zealand has hosted this event and we are honoured to have you as our guests. Thank you for coming all this way.

I want to acknowledge you all, and in particular give thanks to our Retirement Commissioner, Diane Maxwell, for being a constant advocate for improving the money skills of New Zealanders.

  • Paul Goldsmith
  • Commerce and Consumer Affairs