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Mr Chairman, thank you for your introduction and for the opportunity to be here today as the Government representative for New Zealand.

Like everyone in this room, New Zealand has a stake in the future of Asia.

In the past half-century, we have transitioned successfully from being an exporter of farm products dependent on European markets, to being a more diverse economy increasingly integrated into the dynamic Asia-Pacific region.

Tēnā koutou katoa. Welcome. It’s a pleasure to be here in the company of so many people who are working to give our kids the best possible start. I’d also like to acknowledge the presence of my ministerial colleague Nikki Kaye who is doing a terrific job, as Associate Minister of Education, of getting school infrastructure into a fit state for the 21st Century and the presence of the Parliamentary Under-Secretary for Education David Seymour who is as committed to raising achievement for all students as I am.

Mr Speaker,

I move that the Appropriation (2016/17 Estimates) Bill be now read a second time.

It’s a privilege to present the eighth Budget of this National-led Government.

I recall our first Budget, delivered in difficult times, with Treasury forecasting never-ending deficits and ever-rising debt.

Today, however, I can present a healthy set of public accounts.

The Crown’s books show rising surpluses and falling debt.

Good morning,

It’s fantastic to be back here at TRENZ.

I’d like to thank the Tourism Industry Association for having me here today. 

I appreciate the great working relationship I have with Grant, Chris and the team and acknowledge all the hard work that goes into running an event like this.

It’s also great to be back in Rotorua – one of New Zealand’s best-known and best-loved tourism destinations.

Good afternoon everyone. It’s a pleasure to be with you again.

Thank you to the Wellington Employers’ Chamber of Commerce for once again organising this pre-Budget lunch.

Budget 2016 will include a wide range of initiatives that build on the good progress we’ve made over the previous seven Budgets.

It will have a strong focus on investing in a growing economy – further advancing the work we’ve been doing to support a more productive and competitive economy through the Business Growth Agenda.

As delivered by Hon. Murray McCully, Minister of Foreign Affairs, 11 May 2016 (New York time).

Mr President, members of the Security Council, may I start by thanking Minister Shoukry for convening this debate on countering terrorist narratives and ideologies.

Today we deal with a threat whose scale and spread requires a global and collective response, and surely commands the attention of the Security Council.

My country, New Zealand, once regarded itself as largely removed from the threat of international terrorism, protected by its geography.

Mr Speaker, I move, that the Te Ture Whenua Māori Bill be now read a first time.

I nominate the Māori Affairs Committee to consider the Bill.

Mihi

I am delighted to be opening this conference on ‘Regulating Drug Use: Beyond Prohibition and Legalisation’.

I am well aware that I am speaking to a room full of experts of every stripe, who have devoted their careers, in one way or another, to the study of drugs and drug use.

Many of you have been kind enough to let me and my office know your position on various drug issues over the years, and I acknowledge that.

I would like to begin with a warm thank you to Dr Chris Wilkins for inviting me to speak.

Good morning

It’s great to have the opportunity to open Wellington’s Privacy Forum and to talk to you about privacy this morning.

Can I start by acknowledging:

• John Edwards, Privacy Commissioner
• Joe Cannataci, UN Special Rapporteur for the Right to Privacy

Ladies and gentlemen, we live in the age of information. We are creating and disseminating information like never before.

As Delivered by Hon Murray McCully, Minister of Foreign Affairs, 10 May, 2016 (New York time)

Mr President, Excellencies.

I thank the President of the General Assembly for convening this debate, and for challenging us to ask how well the United Nations is performing at heading off and responding to situations of conflict.

A robust international rules-based system, and a respected United Nations institution to maintain those rules, lies at the heart of New Zealand’s political, economic and security outlook.

As you know, I’ve always said that biosecurity is my number one priority as Minister.

That’s because it underpins all of our other goals. We want to double the value of our primary sector exports by 2025, but we can’t do that unless we protect ourselves from pests and diseases.

Today I want to give a bit of context on what we’ve achieved over the last few years, the challenges ahead of us, and the importance of all sectors working together.

What we’ve done in recent years

Good morning and thank you for being here at New Zealand’s first Cyber Security Summit.

We’ve come together to address a significant challenge facing New Zealand’s $231 billion economy.

I invited you as Chief Executives, Board Chairs and business leaders from across the public and private sector because you play an essential role in driving New Zealand’s economy.

Good morning ladies & gentlemen.

I’m delighted that Queenstown was chosen as the venue for this year’s Civil Air Navigation Services Organisation Asia Pacific Conference.

Queenstown is one of New Zealand’s prime tourist destinations while Queenstown Airport showcases the technological advances rolling out across New Zealand’s air traffic management.  

Good morning and welcome to New Zealand’s first ever Cyber Security Summit.

It’s great to have so many business leaders from across New Zealand here in one room. 

You’re here because you’re passionate about New Zealand’s economy and about keeping it safe and secure.

So am I.

Cyber incidents and attacks threaten our economy.

They can undermine our strategic and competitive advantages and cost our economy of millions of dollars each year.

Good afternoon.

It’s a pleasure to be here today to discuss New Zealand’s place in the world, which is always the focus of much debate.

The debate revolves around issues like whether we should join trade agreements, welcome immigration or join international efforts to combat terrorism.

Two schools of thought stand out.

One is a very defensive position.

Put up barriers to imports and restrict investment.

Be suspicious of foreigners, especially those who don’t look or sound like us.

Good morning and thank you Andrew Bridgman for the introduction and for hosting us at the Justice Centre this morning.

It’s fair to say that New Zealand has one of the most trusted justice systems in the world and is internationally very highly regarded.  But that’s not something we should ever take for granted. 

It’s a pleasure to be here today to talk to you about trade.  I do so at an interesting time, for the prevailing consensus in New Zealand on trade is subject to more debate than it has been for many years.

There’s some irony in this.  We have just completed one of the most comprehensive and valuable trade deals ever for New Zealand, with benefits in growth, exports, and jobs beyond what we’ve seen before.

I am delighted to be here with you this afternoon in Hawera to open CCS Disability Action’s new site. A warm welcome to everyone here this afternoon.

I would like to acknowledge the TSB Community Trust and the many generous donors that made this all possible. I would also like to acknowledge Mayors Ross Dunlop and Neil Volzke, the local Iwi and my colleague Chester Burrows.

(Delivered Friday 22 April 2016, Eastern Standard Time, New York City)

Tihei mauri ora!

E ngā mana

E ngā reo

E ngā rangatira o ngā hau e wha

Tenā koutou, tenā koutou, tenā koutou katoa.

It’s a great honour to be here today, representing New Zealand at the Signing Ceremony of the Paris Agreement on climate change.

I stand here speaking on behalf of 4 and a half million New Zealanders, proud that we are joining with all of you and your citizens to make history.  

Da jia hao

I would like to begin by saying how great it is to be back in China on my fourth visit, and what an honour it is to come to Harbin and the Heilongjian Province that has a proud history as an agricultural producer.

I have brought with me a strong dairy delegation, including John Wilson from Fonterra, Malcolm Bailey from DCANZ, Special Agricultural Trade Envoy Mike Petersen, and MPI Deputy Director General Roger Smith. 

E ngā mana, e ngā reo

o ngā iwi o te motu,

o ngā tangata Pasifika

me ngā roopu hei āwhina i te Pani me te hunga Rawakore

tēnā tatau katoa

Aku hoa o te Whare Miere

me ngā Kaiwhakahaere, ngā Kai-takatu o ngā Tari o te Kawanatanga

Tēnā koutou katoa.

He huinga tangata he whakaaro kia rātau kua wehi atu ki te pō,

Te hunga mate ki te hunga mate

In three days’ time, as we catch our trains and board our planes home, the world will ask what was achieved here in New York at this UNGASS meeting.

The question is the most important that could be asked of delegates - what will we have to show for our efforts?

The Outcome Document to be ratified at this meeting is broad, but New Zealand notes with strong regret the failure to achieve consensus on inclusion of reference to the death penalty.

Delivered in New York, Monday 18 April 2016 (local time).

Thank you Mr President and other members of the Security Council.

Introduction

It’s great to be here today to open this Health Symposium.

This Symposium, Powering Up Our Future, focuses on building a people-powered, technology-enabled sector.

This is a key part of the updated New Zealand Health Strategy which I am launching today.

Government priority

Delivering better health services is a top priority for the Government. We’ve made health our number one funding priority.