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Kia ora hei hui tātou katoa.

Can I acknowledge Gary Taylor and the Environmental Defence Society (EDS) for the first class discussion and engagement that goes with these annual EDS conferences.

It is great to gather again at this, our 16th Bluegreens Forum, to positively influence how New Zealand manages its natural resources.

It is a special privilege to have Hon Greg Hunt, the Australian Environment Minister, join us. We share a common goal of pursuing policies for our respective nations that marry together sound stewardship of our natural heritage with a strong economy that provides good jobs and incomes for our citizens.

2014 marks the centenary of World War I, it’s the year of our triennial general elections and it’s the year of the Rio Football World Cup. The topic of this year’s Rotary speech is not about military, political or sporting battles but a little-known battle in our vast forests between pests and our native birds.

Good morning.

Pulling together good economic and environmental policy has been my passion of 25 years in politics and so I am delighted to be formally opening this Valuing Nature Conference.

I want to start by acknowledging our distinguished international guests.

Former chair of the IPCC on Climate Change and Nobel Peace Prize winner, Professor Sir Robert Watson.

Ambassador for the UN Environment Programme and author of “Towards a Green Economy”, Pavan Sukhdev.

Mr Speaker, I move that the Subantarctic Islands Marine Reserves Bill be read for a first time.

I nominate the Local Government and Environment Select Committee to consider this Bill.

New Zealand’s subantarctic islands (Antipodes Island Group, Bounty Islands, Auckland Island and Campbell Island and Snares Islands are located in the southeast of New Zealand’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).

Tena koutou, tena koutou katoa,

It is a pleasure to be here today to officiate at the opening of this hugely important workshop. I would like to congratulate the Department of Conservation for initiating what I hope will be two days of fruitful discussions and to also thank those agencies that have provided support to allow this event to occur.

Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, friends in conservation:

Welcome to the 2012 Encore Awards ceremony. I’m delighted to join Greater Wellington Regional Council, the Department of Conservation's Wellington Hawke's Bay Conservancy and the Wellington Hawke's Bay Conservation Board in recognizing those who have made a difference in our local community.

Good afternoon everyone, it is a pleasure to be here today.

Ohaaki Wetland is a great example of what can be achieved when a leading energy company like Contact - partners with trusts, government agencies and NGO’s – on a project that has so many environmental, recreational and other benefits.

Like most worthwhile projects – this has taken time to come to fruition. It’s been decades since the idea was first mooted but earthworks only began 2010 and took five months to complete.

I have much pleasure in being here today and I would like to thank Ngati Kuri and Te Korowai for their warm welcome.

I remember with great fondness my last visit in August 2010 when I joined with you to celebrate the opening of the predator proof fence for the Hutton’s Shearwater on the Kaikoura Peninsula. It is great to hear that since the fence has been completed, many things have followed including a recent successful chick translocation to the site with another one planned for early next year.

Thank you for the invitation to speak at the Mountain Safety Council AGM today.

I’d like to acknowledge the Chair of the Mountain Safety Council, Ross Meder; the Deputy Chair, Murray Douglas and the Council member delegates, I’d also like to acknowledge the Chief Executive, Darryl Carpenter.

I’m pleased to be able to come and speak to you today because outdoor recreation is an important part of my role as the Conservation Minister.

26 September 2012

Tēnā koutou.

Thank you for inviting me to speak at today's celebration.

I'm here today to acknowledge and celebrate with you the launch of the new NaPALIS system.

The launch of NaPALIS marks a huge milestone for DOC and LINZ, and the culmination of over two and a half years of hard work.

As you all know, DOC and LINZ manage over 40 percent of New Zealand's land area – so, naturally, it made sense for both departments to work together to develop this new system.

Main Road North, Belfast, Christchurch
11 August 2012

Kia ora, it's great to be back here in Christchurch to celebrate the second year of the Living Legends project. It's also great to see so many people here today to help get these trees in the ground and to honour our local Rugby Legend, Tane Norton.

Firstly I'd like to acknowledge the organisations that continue to work hard to make the Living Legends projects happen - Project Crimson, The Tindall Foundation, Meridian and of course DOC.

10 August 2012

Good morning and thank you for such a warm welcome.  It's fantastic to see so many people here today to celebrate this significant occasion.

I would particularly like to acknowledge the chair of the Whanganui River Māori Trust Board,  Dr Te Tiwha Puketapu and kaumātua John Maihi, the Taranaki-Whanganui Conservation Board and its chair, Mr Darryn Ratana, and Whanganui Mayor Her Worship Annette Main.

Good afternoon. I’m pleased to welcome so many of you here today for the launch of the Code of conduct for minimising acoustic disturbance to marine mammals from seismic survey operations.

There’s no doubt that conservation is important to New Zealanders as a whole. This is a fantastic attribute – it means we take a keen interest in conservation matters and also means that there is no shortage of challenging issues that gain a high profile in the media and around dinner tables across the country.

I am very pleased to be here at the signing of the Taranaki Biodiversity Forum Accord. This is a big step forward and sees a range of agencies and parties working together to better protect the special values of the region.

First of all though, I want to congratulate you on recognising the importance and value of biodiversity. Often people ask - what is the importance of biodiversity? Why do we need to worry about it?

Conservation Boards are an important link between DOC and the community - you are independent and whilst you do not have a formal function to represent or be your community’s voice in conservation management – you are representative of your communities . Your members are drawn from your communities with extensive regional knowledge, varying skills and networks. You bring an understanding of what locals want, what is important to your communities and also how conservation initiatives can help them grow.

Introduction

Thank you for the opportunity to speak to you all today.

Health and safety within New Zealand workplaces is something the Government takes very seriously and is a key focus area for me personally, so I am pleased to be able to come and talk to you about the issues and our priorities for the next three years.

This term the Government has four key priorities. These are to responsibly manage our finances; deliver better public services; build a more competitive and productive economy; and rebuild Christchurch.

Mr Speaker, I move that the Game Animal Council Bill be read for a first time.

I propose to refer the Bill to the Local Government and Environment Committee.

This Bill delivers on the Government’s 2008 confidence and supply agreement with UnitedFuture to “proceed with the establishment of a Big Game Hunting Council as part of a national wild game management strategy with a view to it becoming a statutory authority”.

18 February 2012

Welcome everybody who has made the journey today.

In particular I'd like to welcome Kaikoura MP, Colin King, and Hurunui District Council Mayor, Winton Dalley, and also members of the Combined 4WD Clubs.

Driving into the heart of the St James Conservation Area today has been a unique and special opportunity – certainly a first for me and probably for you. This is a place normally reserved for those who travel by foot, bike or horse. It's mid-way in the St James Walkway and not far from the St James Cycle Trail.

Saturday 11 February 2012

Forest Life Force Restoration Trust
Special guests: Simon Hall, Tasti CEO and Rachel Hunter

Thank you for giving me the opportunity to share in this incredible milestone with you all; in what is arguably one of New Zealand's most significant private environmental initiatives.

Firstly, I would like to thank Simon for the invitation and welcome. It's great to be here with you all and a special welcome to Trust patron Rachel Hunter.