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'Learning from the Past - Adapting for our Future' is the first publication of the New Zealand Law Foundation’s regulatory reform project, a major multi-year study of regulation in this country.

I want to acknowledge the foresight of the Law Foundation in making this project possible.

The Law Foundation fills a unique role in New Zealand in supporting large-scale, long running projects of this type that aren’t driven by short-term priorities, but can make an important and lasting contribution to public policy.

Good afternoon. It’s a pleasure to join you here today.

My thanks to Michael and the Auckland Chamber of Commerce, and Steve and Massey University, for inviting me back to this annual event.

It’s now almost three months since John Key’s National-led Government was returned for a second term.

So today I want to outline the cornerstones of the policy programme you can expect from the Government over the next three years.

It is an honour and a privilege, to be part of this special opening ceremony, to welcome you all to the fourth international conference – Shaping the future of gambling – positive change through policy, practice and research.

It is with the greatest respect that I welcome particularly our overseas visitors to Aotearoa. We have representation from some sixteen global nations, who have come to share your experience, your expertise and your dedication to addressing the all-enduring harm associated with problem gambling.

February 22nd, 2011.

It is a date permanently etched into all our minds.

A date that will go down in the history of New Zealand as one of our darkest days.

We all remember where we were when we heard the news. Christchurch - our second-largest city and home to 350,000 people - had been struck by an earthquake so violent and destructive that it would go on to claim 185 lives.

February 22nd began as just another summer day here in Canterbury.

Tena koutou katoa

It gives me great pleasure to be here today, at the opening of this new whare.

As we gather here today, on the eve of the one year anniversary of the devastating earthquakes that ripped Otautahi apart, our thoughts inevitably are with all of our whanau who have endured a year like no other.

Your chairperson, Aroha Reriti-Croft and one of your trustees, Amber Clarke, connect us today to the people of Christchurch; and so through them, we express our love for them all to rebuild and restore whanau to their full potential. Tena korua.

• Good morning, and welcome to you all. It’s great to be here today to open the first Shallow Survey conference to be held in New Zealand.

• A special welcome to those of you who have travelled to be here today. I understand that in addition to the New Zealand delegates from around the country we also have a diverse international audience here with us.

• I hope you enjoy your time here, and that you get the opportunity to explore some of what our wonderful capital city has to offer.

Tena koutou katoa

It gives me great pleasure to be here today, at the opening of this new whare.

As we gather here today, on the eve of the one year anniversary of the devastating earthquakes that ripped Otautahi apart, our thoughts inevitably are with all of our whanau who have endured a year like no other.

Your chairperson, Aroha Reriti-Croft and one of your trustees, Amber Clarke, connect us today to the people of Christchurch; and so through them, we express our love for them all to rebuild and restore whanau to their full potential. Tena korua.

Good morning. It’s a privilege to have the opportunity to speak at this important event highlighting the benefits of bringing faster broadband to New Zealand.

First, can I thank the Commerce Commission for organising this conference, and for the work that has gone into the three demand side issues papers.

I particularly want to acknowledge and thank Dr Ross Patterson for his commitment to the telecommunications industry since 2007, the work that he has done in times of significant change and the even hand he is renowned for.

18 February 2012

Welcome everybody who has made the journey today.

In particular I'd like to welcome Kaikoura MP, Colin King, and Hurunui District Council Mayor, Winton Dalley, and also members of the Combined 4WD Clubs.

Driving into the heart of the St James Conservation Area today has been a unique and special opportunity – certainly a first for me and probably for you. This is a place normally reserved for those who travel by foot, bike or horse. It's mid-way in the St James Walkway and not far from the St James Cycle Trail.

The late great scholar of Ngāti Porou, Te Kapunga ‘Koro’ Dewes, used to say that, to introduce yourself properly, you must answer the questions:

Ko wai koe?

Na wai koe?

No hea koe?

I want to talk this afternoon about what it means to be a New Zealander, and what is our place on the world stage.

Good evening.

It's just over a year since Prime Minister John Key first outlined the Government's plans to sell minority stakes in its four energy companies and Air New Zealand.

Since then, there has been plenty of noise - mainly from our political opponents. So today I'd like to go back over the reasons why the Government is proceeding with mixed ownership.

The rationale is fairly simple - mixed ownership is a win-win for New Zealand.

Good morning ladies and gentlemen. I am delighted to be here.

Your conference theme, Beyond our Boundaries, suits the arable industry down to the ground. It encourages your farmers to strive for growth and embrace innovation, something that also fits well with the Government’s goal.

As the Parliamentary year gets underway the Prime Minister has taken the opportunity to outline the aspirations of this National-led Government.

Saturday 11 February 2012

Forest Life Force Restoration Trust
Special guests: Simon Hall, Tasti CEO and Rachel Hunter

Thank you for giving me the opportunity to share in this incredible milestone with you all; in what is arguably one of New Zealand's most significant private environmental initiatives.

Firstly, I would like to thank Simon for the invitation and welcome. It's great to be here with you all and a special welcome to Trust patron Rachel Hunter.

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

I nominate that the Consumer Law Reform Bill be referred to the Commerce Committee.

The National Government is committed to a brighter future for New Zealanders. This includes a strong commitment to strengthening and building our economy.

Thank you for the introduction Steve. It’s a pleasure to be here this morning.

I’d particularly like to acknowledge our international guests, including:

• Welcome to you all and thank you for asking me to speak to you this evening

• I think this is a very important time to be in the Building and Construction sector there are a lot of changes happening and I am gratified by the support we have received from you on our package of reforms

CTV report

• Today the Department of Building and Housing released the final report into the collapse of the CTV building in Christchurch in the 22 February quake.

Ladies and Gentlemen - welcome to Auckland, the City of Sails.  I hope you have a chance to explore the city and perhaps see a bit more of New Zealand after this workshop.

I would like to acknowledge our guests from overseas today, particularly the Indonesian Ambassador, His Excellency Mr Antonius Agus Sriyono. Welcome to you all.

For those who haven’t been here before, New Zealand has a lot to offer. For a small country we have a huge variety of landscapes, scenery and attractions.

Thank you Burgemeester Evrard

Your excellencies, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen.

Today’s ceremony is a chance to reflect on the sacrifices of a generation of young New Zealanders who gave their lives in Flanders.

It is also a time to acknowledge the people of Flanders and Belgium for looking after the sons of New Zealand in remembrance of that terrible experience of almost a century ago.

The ties that bind our countries were forged here and will never be broken.

Secretary General

It is a pleasure to attend my first meeting of NATO’s North Atlantic Council with its ISAF partners and I look forward to working with you and all my colleagues around the table in the months and years ahead.

Secretary General, today’s discussion provides an important opportunity to further refine and shape the strategic plan for Afghanistan that will be adopted at the Chicago Summit in just over three months time.

Ladies and Gentlemen

Can I start by saying that it’s a tremendous privilege to have won the trust and goodwill of New Zealanders for a second term in Government.

I don’t take that for granted and I never will.

I learned quickly when I came into Parliament that a government has to earn the trust and goodwill of voters again and again, every day.

And that’s what we’ll be doing.

We proved in the past three years that we can deliver strong and stable government in difficult times.

Good afternoon.

It is a pleasure to be here today to help open your newly refurbished buildings.

While medical progress finds new cures at an accelerating pace every day, there will always the need for end of life care.

And as Dame Cicely Saunders – the modern founder of Hospice – said the end of life "can turn out to be the most important part."

The government recognises the vital part Hospice plays in providing relief, comfort and dignity to people who may be in pain and difficult circumstances.