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It is important to have an informed debate about water management, Agriculture Minister Jim Sutton says.

The avocado industry is an example of a smart industry taking advantage of innovative technology, Agriculture Minister Jim Sutton says.

Water use is vital for New Zealand farming, and the management of water resources was crucial for dairy farmers if they were not to have regulatory controls forced upon them, Agriculture Minister Jim Sutton told the Dairy Farmers annual meeting in Wellington today (19 June 2002).

As you know, these irrigation projects for this region have a long pedigree. There has been quite a lot of tension from time to time. But I am delighted at the level of consultation and co-operation that appears to be going on now.

The structure of your organisation was one of the complicated issues to be worked through as part of the dairy mega-merger last year.

President Dianne Milne, colleague Damien O'Connor, ladies and gentlemen: there is a lot of black humour floating round about the dismal performace of the Hurricanes rugby team lately.

Chairman Wi Huata, my colleague Parekura Horomia, ladies and gentlemen: I am delighted to be here today.

Martin Clements, Brian Gargulio, Ladies and Gentlemen: We are very good at knocking ourselves when we do badly – just ask the All Blacks or the Black Caps – but we’re not so good at celebrating our successes.

Ladies and Gentlemen: welcome to New Zealand and thank you for attending this Codex Committee meeting on meat and poultry hygiene.

Ladies and Gentlemen: thank you for the invitation to speak today.