Displaying 1 - 24 of 357 results.

Mr Speaker, I move that the Consumer Law Reform Bill be now read a second time.

I would like to thank the Commerce Select Committee for its consideration of this complex and significant reform.

The Committee has considered changes to ten Acts and reflected on more than 90 submissions covering a wide range of views. Their changes reflect a fair and robust process, and I am very pleased that the Committee was unanimous in their support for this significant update of consumer law in New Zealand. Ideally, law reform such as this should receive cross-party support.

  • Simon Bridges
  • Consumer Affairs

I’m very pleased to be here today to launch the Refugee Resettlement Strategy.

Overall, we do well with our settlement of refugees but I’m convinced we can do even better.

The Refugee Resettlement Strategy is a fresh approach in how we look after new refugees and help them settle into New Zealand life.

I know that a number of you here today have been involved in the strategy and I want to thank you for your input.

  • Nathan Guy
  • Immigration

Mr Speaker, I move that the Resource Management Reform Bill 2012 be now read a first time.

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

Resource management reform is a key part of the Government’s Business Growth Agenda. New Zealand needs a resource management system that enables growth, provides good environmental outcomes and is capable of adapting to changing values, pressures and technology.

  • Amy Adams
  • Environment

Welcome to the Block Offer 2012 Awards Ceremony.

It’s a great pleasure to be hosting this event to award the permits from the Government’s first annual Block Offer. 

In August last year we announced the move to an annual block offer process and the abolition of the Priority in Time permits.

Block Offer 2012 areas have now been consulted on, tendered, carefully considered, and today, permits are being awarded to the strongest bids and to those companies most capable of delivering their proposed work programmes. 

  • Phil Heatley
  • Energy and Resources

We are very fortunate in New Zealand to have an abundance of energy and minerals resources.

These provide us with unique opportunities to grow our economy, ensure we have a secure supply of affordable energy, and respond to the global challenge of climate change. 

The oil and gas sector is already a major contributor to our economy. It’s our fourth-largest export and directly and indirectly supports around 7,700 jobs.

  • Phil Heatley
  • Energy and Resources

Good morning everyone. It’s great to be here as part of the launch of the 5th Business Growth Agenda Progress Report – Building Natural Resources.

As we conclude the parliamentary year, I certainly hope we have firmly established in most minds that this Government has a very clear focus on our economic growth agenda.

Part of that has to be the better use of New Zealand’s natural resources.

  • David Carter
  • Primary Industries

Today’s launch of the Economic Recovery Programme is an opportunity to reflect on how far Canterbury has come since the earthquakes, and the many reasons we have to be optimistic about the region’s future.

It’s an incredible testament to the resilience of the business community that based on recent estimates regional GDP for Canterbury has bounced back to pre-earthquake levels.

Economic activity data has shown Canterbury to be the fastest growing region in New Zealand over the past 18 months, and the rebuild proper is only just beginning.

  • Gerry Brownlee
  • Canterbury Earthquake Recovery

Good morning.

It is a pleasure to be here to open your seminar on clinical governance and help you launch the report of the Clinical Governance Assessment Project.

The Project’s goal is to assess the progress New Zealand is making in improving clinical governance and leadership in our public health service….to see how we are doing in re-engaging frontline clinicians in the running of the public health service.

This is the largest research project of its kind in the history of the New Zealand public health service.

  • Tony Ryall
  • Health

E ngā iwi e tau mai nei i tēnei pō ki te whakanui i ēnei tohu hauora, tēnā rā koutou katoa.

It is with great pleasure that I stand and speak at these awards tonight.

Tonight the recipients of these awards will pick up the mantle of those kaumātua and kuia – some of our most passionate health leaders who have since passed on. And it is into these very big shoes our scholars step today - and in stepping into these shoes our scholars are stepping into health environments and communities that need them as much today as ever before.

  • Tariana Turia
  • Health

Mr President, Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen.

I would like to acknowledge the Government and people of Qatar, and thank them for generously hosting our discussions over these two weeks.

Mr President, New Zealand remains resolutely committed to playing a constructive role in tackling climate change.

We accepted a responsibility target under the Kyoto Protocol’s
first commitment period. New Zealand is on track to meet that commitment.

  • Simon Bridges
  • Climate Change Issues

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).

  • Kate Wilkinson
  • Conservation

The future is looking brighter for small business in New Zealand.  

Interest rates and inflation are at record lows.  

We are just starting to see the first positive signs of productivity growth since 2006.

New Zealand is faring a lot better than many other countries.

Recent surveys by the BNZ and ANZ have found small business owners are feeling more confident about their prospects in the year ahead.  

  • John Banks
  • Small Business

I move that the Callaghan Innovation Bill be now read a third time.

Mr Speaker, this is a special day in a special year for New Zealand science and innovation.

  • Steven Joyce
  • Science and Innovation

Thank you for inviting me here today to make this exciting announcement.

It is my pleasure to announce the New Zealand Blood Service, in partnership with Ngāi Tahu Property, is building a new blood donor and laboratory centre here in Christchurch.

The new centre, which is planned to open its doors in just over two years’ time, will be a purpose designed building that will house a donor centre, manufacturing and testing laboratories, specialised warehousing and support offices.

  • Tony Ryall
  • Health

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.

  • Kate Wilkinson
  • Conservation

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.

  • Kate Wilkinson
  • Conservation

I want to firstly acknowledge our impressive MCs - Ruth Jones, Kanohi ki te Kanohi Consultancy and Duncan Armstrong, from People First. There are also some key movers and shakers who should be recognised upfront on this important day:

• Paul Gibson, our Disability Rights Commissioner
• Dame Beverley Wakem, Ombudsman
• and Rachel Noble, Chair, Convention Coalition of Disabled People’s Organisations.

  • Tariana Turia
  • Disability Issues

Good morning. It is a pleasure to be here today.

I would like to thank the team at Malyon House in particular David and Cecily Munro for inviting me here to officially open the recently rebuilt Malyon House facility.

It is an exciting time for everyone, not only has the facility undergone a major upgrade it has also been extended to provide additional beds and now offers both rest home and hospital level care.

  • Tony Ryall
  • Health

I was delighted to receive the invitation from David Matthews, your Chief Executive; and Kim Willetts, your National President to attend ‘the Gathering’ with I was told over 150 people from right across the disability sector.

The concept of the Gathering has a particularly unique meaning for Aotearoa.

  • Tariana Turia
  • Disability Issues

When the National-led Government came into office it was well known that the country’s housing stock was under par. There was ample and growing evidence that this was impacting on New Zealanders’ health and well-being, not to mention their power bills.  Something had to be done, and we did it.

  • Phil Heatley
  • Energy and Resources

The Right Honourable Sir Jerry Mateparae and Lady Janine
Australian Human Rights Commissioner; Graeme Innes
David Rutherford;  Human Rights Commissioner
Paralympians; Award Finalists, Distinguished guests; family and friends.

Yesterday the red carpet was laid out in Wellington.   But tonight, here at the Viaduct Events Centre, we have our own extravaganza of excellence – a room filled with superstars, with champions; with heroes and trail-blazers.

  • Tariana Turia
  • Disability Issues

E aku rangatira, tēnā koutou katoa. Ka nui te honore ki te mihi ki a koutou.

It is my pleasure to join you this afternoon.

I extend my very warmest greetings to representatives of registered charities, to members of the wider charitable sector, to officials – and to the wonderful speakers who are sharing their stories and knowledge with you as part of today’s forum for charities.

I hope you find this a valuable opportunity to listen and learn, and perhaps glean some new ideas, and also to share your own experiences and ask questions.

  • Jo Goodhew
  • Community and Voluntary Sector

Thank you for inviting me to speak to you today – it’s great to here.

I’d like to start by acknowledging NetSafe NZ and the terrific work it does to promote confident, safe and responsible use of online technologies.

I’m sure you’ll agree that the way we use and interact online has changed markedly over the past 20, 10…even 5 years.

  • Judith Collins
  • Justice

Good afternoon.

It's certainly a pleasure to be invited to speak here at the first NetHui South and I'd like to begin by acknowledging InternetNZ for organising this event, and for their on-going work in ensuring that key issues affecting the development of our digital future continue to be prominently and actively debated. 

It's definitely refreshing to see a gathering of this type in the South and focusing on rural and provincial New Zealand.

  • Amy Adams
  • Communications and Information Technology