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INTRODUCTION

Good afternoon.

It is a pleasure to speak with you again, for what I make as my eighth time as Finance Minister.

One of the best parts of my job is the number of public servants and services providers I get to meet.

Overwhelmingly I find we’re all driven by the same thing - getting better results for New Zealanders, and doing our best for the most vulnerable.

Whether it’s social housing, health, education, welfare or justice, the goal is the same.

Introduction

Thanks Peter. It’s great to officially open Wellington Southern Community Laboratory.

I want to acknowledge the people here today who’ve played a big role: Virginia Hope, Derek Milne, Debbie Chin, Ashley Bloomfield, and Adri Isbister; Chai Chuah; Dr Bev O’Keefe; Wayne Guppy, Glenda Hughes; and Dr Margaret Wilsher. It’s also great to have Robert Cooke from Healthscope here today.

Integrated laboratory services

Kia ora tātau, good afternoon ladies and gentlemen.

Thank you Virginia and Bee Healthy Dental Service for inviting me to open the Selby House dental clinic, I am delighted to be able to join you.

The opening of Selby House marks the completion of the capital development component of the improved model of care for the oral health of children across the Wellington, Kapiti and Hutt Valley regions.

Tena koutou katoa, good morning and thank you for the invitation to speak today at the opening of the Sixth International Gambling Conference.

This is an important event in the national and international gambling calendar and I am pleased to note that it is my first official speaking engagement in New Zealand for 2016.

The theme of the conference is Preventing harm in a shifting gambling environment: Challenges, Policies and Strategies.

Once again, this year the conference is host to a wide range of international delegates.

Honourable Members.

The Government is continuing to implement its plan to build a faster-growing economy with more jobs and rising incomes, and to support New Zealanders and their families.

Over the next year, we have a comprehensive policy agenda, and a substantial legislative programme to put before the House.

Our policy agenda and legislative programme will reflect the Government’s four priorities:

Your Excellency Minister Hoang, Excellencies, distinguished guests, members of the Vietnamese business community, ladies and gentlemen.

It is an honour to be here today. I’ve recently commenced in this role as New Zealand’s Minister of Trade and it is great to have the opportunity to celebrate trade success so early in my tenure.

There are of course two successes to celebrate this morning. Firstly, there is cause to celebrate what has brought us all together in Auckland - the signing of the Trans-Pacific Partnership, set to take place tomorrow.

Good evening.

Thank you for the invitation and opportunity to share some thoughts about New Zealand’s experience in transforming the way we provide government services to our citizens in the digital age.

New Zealand’s digital journey is a story about better public services.

It is about how our government is reshaping our relationships and interactions with our citizens to meet their changing expectations.

The word “journey” implies a known destination.

Tihe mauri ora!

E ngā mana, e ngā reo, e rau rangatira mā

Tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou katoa

It’s my great privilege on behalf of the Government and people of New Zealand to welcome you to your new home here in New Zealand. 

Each one of you arrives here from different places and different experiences. I cannot begin to imagine the horrors you have experienced and the personal sacrifices you have made to make the journey to New Zealand. Many of you will have left behind family members as well as jobs, friends and a way of life.

Good afternoon. It’s great to see so many of you here today.

I want to start by acknowledging Mayor Len Brown, the Auckland Council and the Chamber of Commerce – all strong advocates for this city.

And I want to thank the Chamber for hosting this event.

Finally, can I acknowledge my ministerial colleagues Steven Joyce and Nikki Kaye. Unfortunately, Transport Minister Simon Bridges cannot be here today as he’s visiting Antarctica.

It’s good to kick off the New Year here in Auckland - New Zealand’s gateway city.