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Veterans’ Affairs Minister Nathan Guy will represent New Zealand at the 97th anniversary of the Gallipoli campaign in Turkey tomorrow.

“This is a time to remember those thousands of New Zealanders who stepped ashore on Gallipoli 97 years ago and who never returned.

“8556 New Zealanders landed at Anzac Cove. Nearly a third - 2721 – were killed, with thousands more injured.”

Mr Guy says between 5000 and 7000 people, including many young New Zealanders, are expected to attend the commemorations.

Minister of Veterans’ Affairs Nathan Guy has invested Turkish citizen Mr Ali Partal as an Honorary Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit, in recognition of his work supporting Anzac Day commemorations at Gallipoli.

“This is the first time a Turkish national has ever received a Royal New Zealand Award and is well deserved.”

The award was presented at a ceremony in Canakkale, Turkey this morning (New Zealand time).

Good morning distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen. It’s an honour and privilege to address you today.

I was here two days ago visiting this place of great significance, and have thoroughly enjoyed my time here and getting to know Governor Tuna.

The conflict which took place here nearly a century ago was a defining moment for New Zealand – a small, young nation, half a world away.

The Government today released a consultation document setting out proposed changes to the New Zealand Emissions Trading Scheme.

“The ETS is the most cost effective and efficient way we can reduce our emissions and do our fair share on the global issue of climate change,” say Climate Change Minister Tim Groser and Primary Industries Ministers David Carter and Nathan Guy.

The Government is stepping up border protection with a new penalty and enforcement regime for airlines which breach their obligations under the Immigration Act, Immigration Minister Nathan Guy announced today.

“With more than 4.5 million people flying into New Zealand every year, it’s important that we protect our borders and encourage compliance with the law,” says Mr Guy.

“This new regime will have penalties ranging from $500 to $5000, depending on the breach of the Immigration Act.

Minister of Immigration Nathan Guy has announced changes to health screening rules which will reduce red tape for international students and other migrants, while protecting the public health system.

“From July this year, international students will no longer need to supply full medicals. Unless they have other health conditions, they will only need to be screened for tuberculosis.

“This will greatly reduce the cost and hassle for around 62,800 students who will save around $17 million a year in medical costs.

Good morning - I’ve been asked to talk to you about my role and where I see the dairy industry heading in the future.

As the Associate Minister I’ll be working closely with my colleague David Carter, and in particular on forestry issues which will be a challenge I’m looking forward to.

I’m also the Minister of Immigration, Racing, and Veterans Affairs. Immigration has some important connections with the Dairy industry, which I’ll say a few words about later.

Immigration and Associate Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy has launched two new guides today to help migrant dairy workers and their employers work together more successfully.

“Migrant workers make up a small but significant part of the dairy industry workforce, filling the gaps where there are not enough New Zealanders available.

Good morning and welcome to the 2012 ForestWood Conference. It’s great to be here.

Congratulations on holding your second national pan-industry conference.

I’m pleased to see the Pan-Industry Strategic Action Plan in today’s programme. It is great to see that growers, processors and manufacturers have got together to develop a collective industry view of the future.

The War Disablement Pension and Veteran’s Pension payment rates will increase from 1 April as part of the annual cost of living adjustment, the Minister of Veterans’ Affairs Nathan Guy has confirmed today.

“A 1.77 percent increase will be made to the payment rates of War Disablement Pension and Veteran’s Pension, which reflects increases to the Consumers Price Index (CPI),” says Mr Guy.

“This adjustment is made every year to ensure that veterans are not disadvantaged by the rising cost of living.”

Immigration Minister Nathan Guy has welcomed the release of Immigration New Zealand’s “Vision for 2015”, a blueprint setting out how the department will continue to improve its operations over the next three years.

“Immigration New Zealand has put a lot of hard work into winning back the confidence and trust of the public and the Government. This plan is an important step towards building on these achievements,” says Mr Guy.

Good morning. It’s great to be here today as the new Minister of Immigration for the launch of your Vision for 2015.

I thought this would be a good opportunity to meet senior managers at Immigration New Zealand and share with you some of my thoughts about the Government’s priorities for immigration over the next three years.

Turnaround of INZ over last three years

The Government’s three border agencies are stepping up work to make trade and travel more efficient through better co-ordination of border services.

Primary Industries Minister David Carter, Customs Minister Maurice Williamson and Immigration Minister Nathan Guy today announced “Future Directions for the Border Sector”, a work programme to look at how the three agencies can operate together more effectively.

Veterans’ Affairs Minister Nathan Guy has commemorated the 70th anniversary of the fall of Singapore at a wreath laying ceremony in Wellington today.

“The fall of Singapore on 15 February 1942 was a major event in World War II. During the conflict 35 New Zealand airmen lost their lives, and hundreds of our servicemen and civilians became prisoners of the Japanese.

The Minister for Racing Nathan Guy has announced that applications for the next round of the Racing Safety Development Fund are now open.

“This Fund supports projects that improve facilities and upgrade the safety standards at racecourses,” says Mr Guy.

“All racing clubs and the racing code bodies are invited to submit applications for funding, with $508,826 available in this second round from a total figure of $1 million for 2011/12.

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.