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Thank you so much for inviting me here to Te Pūtahitanga o Te Wai Pounamu’s first Hothouse weekend.  And thank you to our fine MCs, Rā Dallas and Sheree Waitoa, for making us all so welcome.

I have to admit that ever since your launch in July, I have talked about little else than the fresh new face of innovation that Te Pūtahitanga o Te Wai Pounamu represents. And so I want to firstly mihi to your Chair, Norm Dewes and the Board, to Lisa Tumahai, the Chair of Te Taumata and your dedicated staff.  

I have been so looking forward to being with you today, to celebrate the transformation that we see already evident in Te Pūtahitanga o Te Wai Pounamu.

It is the most powerful concept to think that all of our whānau here in Ōtautahi are simultaneously connected in time and concept with all the whānau gathering at launch events today at Murihiku, Ōtākou, Tai Poutini, Whakatū, and Wairau.

Tēnā tātou katoa.

Tēnā koutou Te Akitai, te mana whenua o tēnei rohe, ka nui te mihi ki a koutou.

Tainui waka, Waikato iwi ki te whare o Te Kāhui Ariki, ngā tāngata o Te Moana Nui a Kiwa.

Ka nui te mihi ki a koutou.

I was a little bit thrown by the kōrero this morning.