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Thank you for that introduction, Myron. And thank you to the US Chamber of Commerce for continuing to support the US/New Zealand relationship.

It's great to be back in the United States. I arrived in Washington DC only last night, but on my way over, I spent a couple of days in California.

I met representatives of the film industry in Los Angeles, and visited some IT companies – including Facebook and Google – in San Francisco.

Tena koutou katoa

I move, that the Smoke-free Environments (Controls and Enforcement) Amendment Bill be now read a third time.

This Parliament can be proud of the culture of change we are advancing through this Smokefree Environments (Controls and Enforcements) Amendment Bill.

New Zealand has made rapid progress in reducing smoking rates, and this Bill is another step in that journey.

During the course of debate around this bill we have heard mention of the brave cause champions and advocates who have led the charge in tobacco control.

Good afternoon.

Thank you for the opportunity to open your symposium this afternoon. I expect there will be a lot of interest. Not the least of which follows a call by the symposium organisers for higher taxes, significantly more regulation and lifting the age of entitlement for National Superannuation!.

May I welcome your keynote speaker Sir Michael Marmot to New Zealand.

When I received the invitation from Associate Professor Papaarangi Reid to join with you in the events of this week I was delighted to do so on three counts.

The first, was that it was an ideal opportunity to share the stage with speakers the calibre of Professor Des Gorman – of Ngapuhi and the Executive Chair of Health Workforce New Zealand; and Mr Pat Sneddon – renown Treaty advocate; former chair of the Counties Manukau DHB and current chair of Housing New Zealand. 

Good morning

Excellency Yutaka Banno, Co Chairs Phillip Burdon and Yoshihiko Miyauchi, Hon Lianne Dalziel representing the NZ Opposition, Sir Graeme Harrison, and Gempachiro Aihara, distinguished guests.

The safety briefing given earlier was a stark reminder of how we listened to a similar briefing at the start of the US NZ Council meeting earlier this year in Christchurch. We listened to that safety briefing never imagining it would become real.

President of LGNZ Lawrence Yule, Chief Executive Eugene Bowen, other members of the LGNZ National Council, ladies and gentlemen – thank you for the opportunity to speak to you this afternoon.  I would like to thank Local Government New Zealand for organising this event and bringing us all together. 

This looks to be my last Local Government New Zealand National Conference.  There’s been regime change in my own Party and my time in politics appears over.

It’s a great pleasure to be back again to open the Local Government New Zealand conference.

I’d like to acknowledge the hard work of your President, Lawrence Yule, and board members.

I’d also like to extend my personal thanks to Local Government Minister Rodney Hide.

Rodney has been an effective and focused Minister for the past two and a half years. He has been instrumental in the Auckland governance reforms and, as you know, he is a dedicated advocate for the local government sector.

Crane Association President Grant Moffat, Chief Executive Ian Grooby, ladies and gentlemen - good morning to you all.

It’s a pleasure to be here with you once again to talk to you as Minister of Local Government.

Let me begin by acknowledging your contribution to our nation’s critical infrastructure.  And in particular, your support of crane operators and your campaign for increased training and safety standards.

The other day I received a letter which reduced me to tears.

As a Minister that’s not unusual in itself.  

Every day I read the letters of worried wives, of anxious providers, of frustrated neighbours, of families under stress.   They send me copies of their bills; their medical records; photos of their children; incident reports; poetry.  

And each and every one of them, shares with me a glimpse in time; the issues that impact on their health and wellbeing.

I would like to acknowledge local iwi for your warm welcome. I would also like to thank Craig Davey for inviting me to speak at your conference.

Thank you for your contribution to biosecurity in this country – your Institute does an important job. Of my four portfolios, biosecurity is the most critical. It is paramount in determining New Zealand’s economic well-being.

I want to thank Chris Worsley, your School Principal, and members of the Board of Trustees whom we have been told have been supportive of the programme.

It is, most appropriate, that we are here today, in Maori Language Week, considering the theme of manaakitanga.

Manaakitanga – literally the mana of the people – is a concept which is just as applicable to Computers in Homes as any event in our life, in that it relates to the concept of working together, sharing and learning from one another.

Good afternoon and thank you for the opportunity to say a few words today.

This morning you’ve already heard from the Conservation Minister Kate Wilkinson, and I’m sure you would have welcomed her decision on landings at Milford Sound aerodrome.

As we know, the weather already provides a natural limit on the number of flights.

I think it is a sensible, balanced and common sense decision. It shows faith in the aviation industry to come up with solutions.

Good evening and welcome. Can I acknowledge all the dignitaries, local MPs and Mayors, and Fire Service senior staff with us tonight.

It was just over six months ago that many of us gathered in Ferrymead for a similar function, presenting certificates for your efforts after the 4th September last year.

None of us could have imagined that a far greater challenge was ahead.

The events of 22 February were something that you train and prepare for, but at the same time hope you never have to deal with – least of all in your home town.

• Tuatahi, kei te mihi atu ki nga mana whenua, ki te tangata whenua nana te karanga i tenei ra.
• Kei te mihi atu ki Te Taura Whiri, ki te whare whakamaru i te reo Maori, na koutou tenei kaupapa i kawe i nga tau toru tekau nei.
• Otira kei te mihi atu ki nga iwi o nga hau e wha, ki nga tohunga, ki nga rangatira, ki nga kaimahi kawanatanga, koutou katoa kua eke mai nei ki raro i te tuanui o tenei wharewaka, ki te whakanui i te Wa o te Reo Maori.

Good afternoon.

First up, I’d like to thank the many health professionals and students in the room for their outstanding leadership and efforts during and after the series of Canterbury earthquakes.

The way in which you all worked together so effectively to care for your fellow citizens is truly humbling. I know that the challenges remain and the uncertainty persists, but please know that you are admired and appreciated for what you are doing.

•       Mihi
o      Ki nga tangata whenua o Te Upoko o te Ika
o      Ki taku hoa Minita ki a Chris Finlayson
o      Ki nga iwi, nga hapu, nga kaitono katoa kua tae mai ki te manaaki i te karanga o te ra
o      Ki nga apiha a te Karauna e whakahaere ana i te hui

Delivered by Nicky Wagner, List MP

I want to thank Graham Martin, The Trust Board Chair; and Karin Hofmans, your Manager, for the invitation to be with you all today.

Forty years ago this week, a Carole King classic peaked at number one on the Billboard Top 100 hits.   It’s a song that I dare say has been symbolic of the lives you, the people of Canterbury, have lived over these last nine months.  

It states, quite simply ‘I feel the earth move under my feet; I feel the sky tumbling down, tumbling down’.

Good afternoon and welcome to the Beehive.

It’s a real pleasure to host this event here in Parliament today, where we celebrate the achievements of two firefighters who have been recognised with New Zealand Bravery Awards – Mervyn Neil and Peter Hanne.

These awards are announced in April of every year and recognise people who place their own safety or life at risk to help others.

Good morning everyone, it’s my pleasure to step in today for my colleague Dr Mapp who’s in the United States and speak at this year’s EDANZ’s conference.

The conference theme ‘Innovation through collaboration -driving innovation across the economy’ – is one that this Government strongly agrees with.

Growing the economy is the Government’s number one priority, and science and innovation have a key part to play in that growth.

Good morning. It is a pleasure to be invited to speak at the RSE Employers’ Conference this year, as we head into the fifth season of the RSE scheme.

Many of you don’t need convincing that the Recognised Seasonal Employer scheme has been a success and has supported the growth of the horticulture and viticulture industries.

Thank you for the opportunity to join you at the opening of your new 24 bed hospital wing here in Waikanae.

Today Winara Rest Home and Hospital is about to add a significant part to the continuum of services older people may need.

I'd like to acknowledge Bupa Care Services who've made a significant capital investment particularly in this region - with the opening of this much anticipated hospital wing today.

This is one of the proudest moments for me in my time as a Member of Parliament.

Today is not just about to formalize the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding marking the successful negotiation of an ex-gratia payment to the Karanga Te Kere Whanau Trust.

Today is a day to honour and pay our utmost respects to Karanga Te Kere and her six children:
• Titi Tihu
• Raima Tihu
• Tira Tihu
• Mae Tihu
• Molly Tihu
• and Tukapua Tihu

When I asked Helen Gatonyi who I should acknowledge today she specifically asked that I acknowledge each and every one of you.

I was delighted to accept the invitation of Di Das from Computers in Homes and your school principal, Philip Benson, and to join with the community of Tui Glen in celebrating this very important event.

It is particularly pleasing to have the support of Te Turuma Koraunui marae, and the representation of Hutt City councilors, Gwen McDonald and Angus Finlayson.