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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.

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.

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.

West Plaza Hotel, Wellington

“Going Forward”

[delivered on her behalf by Dr Jan Scown]

I want to firstly acknowledge your patron, Rob Hamill; your President, Peter Campbell, your Chief Executive Anne Wilkinson; your board and the membership represented at this forum today, or at home.

I am disappointed that I am unable to be with you at such an important event in your annual calendar.

I had one message in mind.

I’ve always been one that loves a good challenge.

Wellington

[Delivered by Mary-Jane Rivers on behalf of the Minister]

I've always been one that loves a good challenge.

And so, I'm really disappointed that I can't be with you this morning in this 'at our table' event.

Because I know that I would be sitting in a room full of people who have dedicated themselves to the greatest challenge imaginable – the construction of a more inclusive society.

Thank you Debbie Power, for your introduction.

I have been greatly looking forward to this ceremony to recognise and celebrate the successes of employers and employment agents who are doing so much to create an enabling society.

The annual Mainstream Placement Awards are a fantastic opportunity to recognise excellence in supported employment practice.

Today we celebrate a group of businesses, people and whanau who are taking action to create a more inclusive society.

Annual Conference: Blind People – Our Voice, Our Future
Victoria Hotel; Dunedin.

[Delivered by Rose Wilkinson, Executive Officer of ABCNZ, on behalf of the Minister]

A month or so ago, one of the daily newspapers ran a feature on one of our remarkable Paralympian champions who had just been treated to a triumphant welcome home parade celebrating her heroic efforts in London.

Nga mihi ki a tatou katoa, i roto i tenei wiki whakahirahira – te wiki o te reo Maori.

I want to acknowledge my parliamentary colleagues who have joined us tonight; National President, Clive Lansink; Vice President Jonathan Godfrey and Executive Officer Rose Wilkinson who has worked so hard to make this event a success.

It is a great honour to be welcoming you here to your place – in the Parliament which 25 years ago passed the Māori Language Act 1987.

Around the world there is a particular song which strikes deep to the heart of all of us who believe in the concept of a better world.

It is an anthem of universal hope. And I want to share just one verse of that song, as we lead off into this very important conference:

Imagine no possessions
I wonder if you can
No need for greed or hunger
A brotherhood of man
Imagine all the people sharing all the world

[delivered by Neil Porteous on behalf of the Minister]

I firstly want to acknowledge Neil Porteous, your Chief Executive; Tricia Fitzgerald, your Chair; Paul Stoneman – the Manager of Workforce Industries – and most of all the Workforce team members; the Elevator Group Board and staff and friends of whānau of all of the employees.

I am delighted to have been invited to launch two new brands – changing the name of Workforce Auckland to the Elevator Group and changing the name of Workforce Industries to Altus Enterprises.

Tena koutou katoa,

Nga mihi ki a koutou kua tae mai ki tenei, te whare paremata ki te hapai, aa ki te whakanui i tenei o nga kaupapa.

Nau mai, nau mai, nau mai.

It gives me great pleasure to welcome you here to Parliament, and to be a part of the launch of the children’s visual communications dictionary.

Tena koutou katoa. Thank you for inviting me to this hui today, it is a pleasure to be here with you, as you come together and plan for the year ahead, and to also reflect on the year that has passed.

To Janice Garnder, and Sylvia Willison – nga mihi ki a korua.

Aa, ki a tatou katoa kua huihui mai nei, tena koutou katoa.

I am absolutely delighted to join with Autism New Zealand in this important event to celebrate World Autism Awareness Day.

I want to thank Glenys Fry – the President of Autism New Zealand; and Alison Molloy, the Chief Executive of Autism New Zealand for your invitation to speak with you today – and I welcome all of my parliamentary colleagues and our distinguished guests to this important event. It is a really good sign to see so many of you here, acknowledging the

Tēnā koutou katoa

It gives me great pleasure to be here today, and to be among those of you who work in the disability sector. I am reliably informed that more than 80 percent of the providers of support services to people with disabilities are represented at this forum – it is great to be with you.