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E aku rangatira, tēnā koutou katoa. Ka nui te honore ki te mihi ki a koutou.

Good afternoon everyone and thank-you Dennis for inviting me to be here today.

The National Government’s business growth agenda has six streams focusing on the inputs businesses need to succeed and grow: export markets, capital markets, innovation, skilled and safe workplaces, natural resources and infrastructure.

There are more than 350 BGA actions, of which more than half are complete or being implemented.

E aku rangatira, tēnā koutou katoa. Ka nui te honore ki te mihi ki a koutou.

Thank you Amy and David for the warm introduction and thank you to Volunteer Wellington for inviting me to speak about tonight’s awards.

I am delighted to be a part of this wonderful new event.

As most of you will know, this week is National Volunteer Week.

Around the country, we have a full calendar of events, activities and celebrations designed to promote and recognise the dedication and achievements of volunteers. 

E aku rangatira, tēnā koutou katoa. Ka nui te honore ki te mihi ki a koutou.

Thank you very much to the Grey Power Federation Board, delegates, and observers for having me here today, and a special thank you to your President, Roy Reid, for his introduction.

E aku rangatira, tēnā koutou katoa. Ka nui te honore ki te mihi ki a koutou.

Good evening and thank you Richard [Stubbs, Managing Director, P3 Research] for the kind introduction. 

I am delighted to be here tonight to celebrate the completion of renovations to P3 Research’s unit. 

I would like to acknowledge the ground breaking work that P3 Research does, both in Wellington and in Tauranga, to help develop new treatments. 

E aku rangatira, tēnā koutou katoa. Ka nui te honore ki te mihi ki a koutou.

Good morning, it is my pleasure to be able to open the 2014 Heart Foundation Forum.

Thank you Tony for your warm welcome.

I acknowledge the life members, board members and delegates.

I would also like to acknowledge this morning’s other speakers Prof Phil Baker, Chair of Gravida and Professor of Maternal and Foetal Health at the University of Auckland, and Dr Debbie Ryan, Director of Pacific Perspectives.

E aku rangatira, tēnā koutou katoa. Ka nui te honore ki te mihi ki a koutou.

Thank you so much for having me here this evening and thank you, Grant, for introducing me.

I would like to also acknowledge Selwyn Mayor Kelvin Coe, and Ray MacDonald, Chair of the SeniorNet Federation.

It is fantastic to see so many people here today - so many people who are embracing the ever-changing range of technologies, and teaching others to embrace them also. 

E aku rangatira, tēnā koutou katoa. Ka nui te honore ki te mihi ki a koutou.

Thank you to Merryn Morrison for your kind introduction. 

I am grateful to the Rotorua Chamber of Commerce to have this opportunity to speak to you tonight.

The Chamber has a proud history as the district's leading business organisation for over one hundred years. I look forward to the contribution you will make over the next hundred.

E aku rangatira, tēnā koutou katoa. Ka nui te honore ki te mihi ki a koutou.

I would like to start by acknowledging Tasman District Council Mayor Richard Kempthorne, and my colleague local MP Dr Nick Smith and Labour’s Damien O'Connor.

Thank you all for being here today, and thank you for inviting me to speak to you on a subject I love talking about – positive ageing and ageing positively.

E aku rangatira, tēnā koutou katoa. Ka nui te honore ki te mihi ki a koutou.

Thank you Pamela, and good morning to you all and welcome to the 2014 PreFabNZ conference.

I’d like to extend a special greeting to delegates from overseas, welcome to Auckland.

Putting together conferences like this takes time and energy.

I would like to start by acknowledging Pamela Bell, PreFabNZ chief executive, who has done so much to make this event possible.

E aku rangatira, tēnā koutou katoa. Ka nui te honore ki te mihi ki a koutou.

Thank you Jacob Tapiata for your warm introduction.

It’s a pleasure to be here today, and I thank Massey University for giving me the opportunity to be a part of this exciting event.

When I learned about this project called It’s My Life I was very impressed that you, the students, are the driving force behind it. 

I think it’s important that young people lead the way in creating a Smokefree New Zealand by 2025.

E aku rangatira, tēnā koutou katoa. Ka nui te honore ki te mihi ki a koutou.

Thank you for inviting me to speak about the value of the voluntary sector to New Zealand, and to assist in presenting this evening’s awards.

I am delighted to be a part of this wonderful and prestigious event.

The Trustpower Community Awards is now one of the country's largest community-based awards programmes.

E aku rangatira, tēnā koutou katoa. Ka nui te honore ki te mihi ki a koutou.

I would like to acknowledge the pan-industry conference organisers; the Forest Owners Association, the Wood Processors Association, Pine Manufacturers Association and the Forestry Industry Contractors Association.

I would also like to acknowledge our MC Dr James Buwalda and my fellow panellists, Labour’s Hon. David Cunliffe and Dr Russel Norman from the Greens.

E aku rangatira, tēnā koutou katoa. Ka nui te honore ki te mihi ki a koutou.

Thank you Brendan for your introduction.

And special welcome to our guest speakers, young carer Lauren Hitchin and Carers New Zealand CEO Laurie Hilsgen.

I would also like to acknowledge my colleagues the Honourable Chester Borrows, Honourable Michael Woodhouse, Honourable Tariana Turia and Hon Ruth Dyson.

E aku rangatira, tēnā koutou katoa. Ka nui te honore ki te mihi ki a koutou.

Thank you Lindy for your kind introduction.

I would like to acknowledge this year’s 14 Escalator participants.

I also want to acknowledge Lindy as the inspiration behind the Agri-Women’s Development Trust.

Lindy, your foresight and determination in the development of the Escalator programme enables many more women to step up and show what they can do beyond the farm.

E aku rangatira, tēnā koutou katoa. Ka nui te honore ki te mihi ki a koutou.

Your Excellency, British High Commissioner Vicki Treadell, Sir Jame and Lady Helen McNeish, Sir Roderick and Lady Anna Weir, members of the Trust Board, including chair Rachael Selby, Fellows and guests.

To begin, I would like to thank you your Excellency for hosting us in this beautiful setting.

I became Minister for the Community and Voluntary sector in 2011 and thus began my involvement with and understanding of the Winston Churchill Memorial trust.

E aku rangatira, tēnā koutou katoa. Ka nui te honore ki te mihi ki a koutou.

Good morning everyone. It is a real pleasure to be here this morning in my home town!

Thank you to Volunteering Mid & South Canterbury for inviting me to join in recognising the wonderful job done by the volunteers in this region.

I would also like to acknowledge and congratulate the newly elected Mayor of Timaru, Damon Odey. It is great to have you here to help recognise the valuable contribution made by these volunteers.

E aku rangatira, tēnā koutou katoa. Ka nui te honore ki te mihi ki a koutou.

Good afternoon everyone. I am delighted to join you at this first full year annual meeting of Charities Services.

Brendon – thank you for the invitation. Members of the Independent Charities Registration Board – Roger, Caren and Kirikaiahi it’s good to see you all again.

E aku rangatira, tēnā koutou katoa. Ka nui te honore ki te mihi ki a koutou.

It is my great pleasure to join you this morning.

Thank you Ken and members of the National COGS Committee for inviting me to share in launching the COGS Profile.

Since it began in 1986, the Community Organisation Grants Scheme, affectionately known to us all as COGS, has been a vital source of government funding for non-profit community organisations.

E aku rangatira, tēnā koutou katoa. Ka nui te honore ki te mihi ki a koutou.

Thank you Stuart for your warm greetings this evening. I am delighted to be here tonight to celebrate the launch of the Institute of Directors’ third Mentoring for Diversity programme.

I acknowledge Vice President Michael Stiassny, CEO William Whittaker, other members of your Council, and all the mentors and mentees here tonight who have been part of this programme since it was launched in 2011. 

E aku rangatira, tēnā koutou katoa. Ka nui te honore ki te mihi ki a koutou.

Rotorua Mayor Hon Steve Chadwick, FAO Assistant Director-General Mr Konuma, FAO Director of the Forest Economics Policy and Products Ms Eva Muller, Scion CEO Warren Parker and chair Mr. Su Chunyu.

Distinguished delegates and guests, industry and iwi leaders, local dignitaries, ladies and gentlemen.

E aku rangatira, tēnā koutou katoa. Ka nui te honore ki te mihi ki a koutou.

Good afternoon everyone and thanks for the warm welcome.

It is great to be back here in Rotorua, my second visit in as many months.

I attended the WoodEXPO 2013 meeting in September - and recognise some familiar faces from that informative day!

Putting together conferences takes time and energy and I want to start off by acknowledging three key individuals who made today’s forum possible.

E aku rangatira, tēnā koutou katoa. Ka nui te honore ki te mihi ki a koutou.

E aku Rangatira,  Tēnā koutou katoa,  Ka nui te honore ki te mihi ki a koutou       

Good morning, and thank you for inviting me to speak at your conference today. I would particularly like to thank Grainne (Moss) for extending the invitation to me, and for her kind introduction. I would also like to acknowledge your Chairman, Bryan Mogridge.

E aku rangatira, tēnā koutou katoa.  Ka nui to honore ki te mihi ki a koutou.