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Welcome everybody. I have to say I am very thrilled to be here today. Our 1999 sports policy stated that we would complete a review of long-term structural arrangements.

It’s wonderful to be back here today, presenting the second round of Prime Minister’s Coach Scholarships.

Sports Minister Trevor Mallard has today launched the first major commercial partnership between the Academy of Sport and a private company.

Sports Minister Trevor Mallard has today launched the first major commercial partnership between the Academy of Sport and a private company.

When Annette first asked me to take part in this launch, I thought it might be because I am one of the finance Ministers.

Thanks for the invitation to launch the National Sports Academy North.

In three days time, I will have been Minister of Sport, Fitness and Leisure for one year.

It's been a year of great challenges for me and in some ways this portfolio has provided me with a bit of light relief among all the paperwork that crosses my desk. I consider myself extremely lucky that this job allows me to satisfy my passion for sport and still call it work.

There's something about this millennium that brings with it a mood forchange. onight we are acknowledging two changes - changes in the lives totwo people who have made a huge mark on the world of sport in New Zealand.

Thank you for coming this evening.

Those of you who think that a Minister's involvement in launches like this are restricted to the relative safety of the Parliamentary precinct would have had your assumptions challenged if you'd been at the Hutt River this afternoon.

On behalf of the Government and the people of New Zealand, it is my pleasure to welcome you home.

In the modern sporting era, it is not easy to succeed on the world stage. To get to the top in international sport takes a lot of talent, guts, commitment and access to the best support services and facilities.

It's actually quite a big relief. After six months of being Minister for Sport and addressing sporting audiences about our proposed review, I'm actually in a position now to release the terms of reference and announce who will conduct the review.

It would be fair to say that within the Presidency of the Labour Party there is a certain bias towards Waitakere City

This Government certainly sees the sports sector as an important vehicle by which New Zealanders can become healthier, more well-rounded, and develop a greater sense of national pride and identity.

Being Minister of Sport sounds like a bit of a dream job.

I'm here today in two roles – one as Minister of Sport, Fitness and Leisure and one as Minister of Education

This is a great occasion for Wellington and for sevens rugby.