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Environment Minister Amy Adams and Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy today released a document outlining the Government’s proposed plan of action for improving water quality and the way freshwater is managed.

Minister for Primary Industries Nathan Guy and his Colombian counterpart Andres Felipe Garcia Azuero have issued a joint statement agreeing to look for areas of strategic cooperation between the two countries.

Mr Guy expressed his desire to see deeper cooperation with Colombia through sharing New Zealand's knowledge and technology.

“We have a proven track record of lifting productivity at the farm gate through innovation, technology and modern farming practises,” says Mr Guy.

The first reflagging of a foreign charter fishing vessel as New Zealand-registered is good news for foreign crews fishing in our waters, and for New Zealand’s international reputation, say Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy and Labour Minister Simon Bridges.

The Ukrainian fishing vessel FV Mainstream, chartered by Independent Fisheries, was today officially reflagged, bringing it under New Zealand labour, and health and safety laws.

A state of drought has been officially declared in the South Auckland, Waikato, Bay of Plenty and Hawkes Bay regions today by the Minister for Primary Industries Nathan Guy.

Racing Minister Nathan Guy has announced that Alistair Ryan has been appointed as Deputy Chairperson of the New Zealand Racing Board.

“Mr Ryan is currently a member of the New Zealand Racing Board and his appointment helps maintain stable governance,” says Mr Guy.

“In addition to his corporate governance expertise, Mr Ryan has strong finance and managerial experience.”

Mr Ryan’s appointment as Deputy Chairperson follows the High Court decision quashing the 2012 appointment of Dr Alan Jackson as independent Chairperson of the NZRB.

Thank you for this opportunity to speak today, it’s great to be here in Mexico.

Today I’d like to talk a little about what New Zealand has to offer and about innovation in the New Zealand primary sector. I will also talk about our delegation and offer my thoughts on the New Zealand-Mexico relationship.

Minister for Primary Industries Nathan Guy has welcomed a report from the Auditor-General into biosecurity incursions, and says it will be carefully considered by the Government.

“My office has received a copy of the full report today and I’m looking forward to working through it with the Ministry for Primary Industries.

“Biosecurity is my top priority as Minister and we will carefully consider any advice and recommendations that could improve our biosecurity system.

A state of drought has been officially declared in Northland today by the Minister for Primary Industries Nathan Guy, with other regions likely to follow soon.

“This is recognition that we are now beyond what is a normal dry summer, and into an extreme climatic event. The entire North Island is extremely dry, but Northland is one of the worst-hit areas.

Minister for Primary Industries Nathan Guy has announced that experienced director Alison Paterson will oversee the establishment of a new Crown company to invest in irrigation.

The new company, which is to be established by 1 July, will act as a bridging investor for regional water infrastructure development, with $80 million to be set aside in Budget 2013.

“I’m pleased to have people of high quality and balance to work on what is a critical area of New Zealand’s growth,” says Mr Guy.

I want to acknowledge and celebrate the achievements of the New Zealand fishing industry in gaining Marine Stewardship Council certification of these three important fisheries.

These certification processes are very thorough. They have to be, if they are going to be meaningful.

Minister for Primary Industries Nathan Guy has welcomed a new accord from the dairy industry, aimed at lifting environmental performance on dairy farms.

“This is a real step forward and shows the dairy industry is serious about improving its practices.

“The draft ‘Sustainable Dairying: Water Accord’ is more comprehensive than the Clean Streams Accord which it will replace, as it will cover all dairy farmers, not just Fonterra suppliers.

This is one of the first formal speeches I’ve given since being appointed the Minister for Primary Industries three weeks ago.

It’s a great honour to have this portfolio. As most people in this room probably know, the primary sector is the powerhouse of our economy. It is worth around $30 billion a year to our economy and makes up 72 percent of our total exports.

I have a rural background myself. I’m proud to be the local MP for Otaki, and my parents run a dairy farm just north of Levin where I live.

A bill to strengthen the regulation of foreign-owned commercial fishing vessels operating in New Zealand waters has passed its first reading unanimously in Parliament today.

The Fisheries (Foreign Charter Vessels and Other Matters) Bill is part of a range of measures that follow a Ministerial inquiry in 2012 into questionable safety, labour and fishing practices on some foreign-owned vessels.

Applications are now open for the next round of the Racing Safety Development Fund, the Minister of Racing Nathan Guy has announced today.

“The Fund supports important projects around the country that improve racecourse health and safety standards,” says Mr Guy.

“In the past this has included projects like improvements to gates, stables, fences and grandstand repairs.

“There is $572,956 available available in this second round from a total figure of $1 million for 2012/13.

A new visa rule coming into effect today will help ensure New Zealanders are first in line for job vacancies created during the Canterbury rebuild, says Immigration Minister Nathan Guy.

“The new rule means visa applications to fill most jobs in Canterbury won’t be processed until a check has been done to ensure there are no suitable New Zealanders to fill the vacancy,” says Mr Guy.

Immigration Minister Nathan Guy has announced that tough new rules for all fishing vessel operators who employ foreign crew in New Zealand’s waters take effect from today.

“These new rules come from the Ministerial Inquiry into foreign chartered vessels (FCVs), which recommended that the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment should strengthen its monitoring and enforcement arrangements.

Defence Minister Dr Jonathan Coleman and Immigration Minister Nathan Guy have announced a widened assistance package for local staff who have been closely involved with the NZ Defence Force and NZ Police in Bamyan, Afghanistan.

Former interpreters who have resigned from employment with the New Zealand-led Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) in the last two years will also be offered a resettlement option.

I’m very pleased to be here today to launch the Refugee Resettlement Strategy.

Overall, we do well with our settlement of refugees but I’m convinced we can do even better.

The Refugee Resettlement Strategy is a fresh approach in how we look after new refugees and help them settle into New Zealand life.

I know that a number of you here today have been involved in the strategy and I want to thank you for your input.

Immigration Minister Nathan Guy has today launched the Refugee Resettlement Strategy, aimed at delivering better outcomes for refugees settling in New Zealand.

“New Zealand has a proud record of taking in refugees from around the world and giving them a new life here. However we want to do an even better job of helping them integrate into society, particularly in terms of finding employment and becoming self-sufficient,” says Mr Guy.

Up to 30 Korean War veterans will be funded to attend the 60th anniversary commemorations of the Korean War Armistice in July next year, Veterans Affairs Minister Nathan Guy has announced today.

“This will be a chance for veterans to pay tribute to their fellow servicemen and women who served New Zealand in this conflict. It is an important way of honouring those who made the ultimate sacrifice.

“All expenses will be covered for those selected to attend the events in Korea, including medical care.

New Zealanders have just one week left to have their say on how to ballot attendance at Anzac Day 2015 in Gallipoli, says Veterans’ Affairs Minister Nathan Guy.

“We expect that record numbers of New Zealanders and Australians will want to attend Gallipoli commemorations in 2015, marking the 100th anniversary of the ANZAC landings.

“Because of the steep terrain, the Anzac Commemorative Site in Gallipoli can safely hold only about 10,000 people. This means both countries will need to manage numbers in 2015 to ensure everyone’s safety.

Immigration Minister Nathan Guy has today announced a new agreement with China Southern Airlines to make it easier for high-value Chinese tourists to visit New Zealand.  

“Planned to start from 22 November, Gold and Silver frequent flyer card holders with China Southern Airlines will not have to produce evidence of sufficient funds to support themselves, as long as they can show their flight records over the previous two years.

Thank you to the New Zealand Forest Owner’s Association for inviting me to launch the Forest Road Engineering Manual. Congratulations for taking the lead in revising this manual.

I would also like to acknowledge Brian Pritchard, chair of the FOA Transportation Committee; Brett Gilmore as the principle editor who I understand has put a huge amount of work into this project; and all those who have contributed.

As everyone in the room tonight knows, forestry is an important industry to New Zealand. It accounts for:

Veterans’ Affairs Minister Nathan Guy says the 94th anniversary of the end of the First World War tomorrow is a day to remember those who lost their lives while serving New Zealand in this conflict.  

The Allies signed an Armistice with Germany ending hostilities on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918.

“The First World War took an enormous toll on New Zealand, and this is a chance to remember the men and women who served,” says Mr Guy.