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Opening of Australasian Fire Authorities Council Conference

Speech given at the On My Way to the Somme book launch

Ladies and Gentlemen, I am delighted to have the opportunity to address the Australian Defence College today. It is a pleasure to see you in New Zealand and I hope that you find your visit here enjoyable and beneficial.

President John Campbell, Chief Executive Pat Herbert, Mayor General Bill Crews -Return Services League of Australia National President, Members of the National Executive Royal NZRSA, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, good morning – and a special greeting to the delegates from the Taupo electorate.

Today on Sea Sunday, we think especially of seafarers, men and women who bring into our ports the products we need for daily life and take out the products which we depend on for our economy.

You as employers have an important role to play in New Zealand's defence capability.
By releasing employees for training and operational deployments you make a direct contribution to New Zealand's military capability.

Ladies and gentlemen

I am delighted to be with you today to cut the steel on the first of the four Inshore Patrol Vessels under Project Protector.

Mark Burton summarises progress in Defence, Tourism and Treaty Negotiation portfolios

Today I am here in my capacity as Minister of Defence and it is an honour to be here to launch a joint programme between Australia and New Zealand, to commemorate the 90th anniversary of an event that plays such an important part in both of our histories.

At the inaugural Armistice Symposium, New Zealand's Defence policy settings and international deployments are outlined

Defence Minister Mark Burton says NZ the Defence Long-Term Development Plan constituted a new era of development for NZ's Defence Force

I’d like to talk today about New Zealand’s Defence policy – how it has developed and where we are going. I also want to outline some of our recent acquisitions, and how they impact upon the Defence Force’s most important asset—its people.

On behalf of the government and all New Zealanders, I am proud to welcome the members of New Zealand’s Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) home from Afghanistan.

Hon Mark Burton addressed the final parade of the New Zealand Burma Star Association on VE Day 2004.

Defence Minister Mark Burton spoke at the signing ceremony for the contract to build new Navy ships

Skycity’s $140 million convention centre investment enables it to compete for a new range of prestige events

The security of both New Zealand and our region depend on more agencies than just Defence

Today, as we remember those who served in our past, I want to pay respect to those men and women who right now continue that service to, and on behalf of, New Zealand.

I would like to remind you of the motto of the Corps of Officer Cadets—Lead Wisely and Serve Proudly.

Equipping our forces with the NZLAV is a fundamental part of taking an Army equipped for the 1960’s into the 21st Century.

Today marks the completion of training that began seven months ago

I am honoured to be here today to address you in my role as Minster of Defence, on the occasion of your 87th National Council meeting.

Every New Zealander lost in service represents an immeasurable tragedy for family and friends

Tonight I am wearing two hats—one as the Minister of Defence and the other as Minister for SOEs. With both, I am pleased to have the opportunity to officially launch this stamp issue—a very special one indeed.