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Good afternoon and thank you for inviting me to speak to you today.

I am sure that you have all found the conference informative and will be putting a few things in your back pocket to take away and incorporate into your work.

Just over a year ago, I stood before you, new to the role of Associate Education Minister, and still learning what makes the special education sector tick.

And now I know the answer: it is people like you, who everyday make a difference for students with special education needs, their parents and communities.

Chief Executive of Local Government New Zealand, the recipients of the Geok Ling Phang Memorial Award, organisers, ladies and gentlemen - thank you for inviting me to join you here this morning.

I would like to thank the Wellington branch of the New Zealand Planning Institute for hosting this event, on what is a significant day for planning globally.

President SoLGM, Clare Hadley, Vice Presidents Ross McLeod and Athol Stephens, Chief Executive Karen Thomas, other members of the SoLGM Executive Committee, ladies and gentlemen – thank you for the opportunity to speak to you this afternoon.

Before I begin, I would also like to acknowledge SoLGM’s recently retired Chief Executive, David Smith, for his work over the past 13 years.

My term as Minister of Local Government ends shortly.  I see I am leaving in good company, with David Smith and LGNZ’s Eugene Bowen.

Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen. Thank you Tom [Parsons, Principal, Queen Charlotte College] for your warm welcome.  It’s great to be here today.

We are here to launch revised guidelines for individual education planning – called ‘Collaboration for Success: Individual Education Plans’.

We are doing this at Queen Charlotte College because you are a fantastic example of what being an inclusive school is all about.

I move that the Spending Cap (People’s Veto) Bill be now read a first time.  At the appropriate time I intend to move that the Bill be referred to the Finance and Expenditure Committee.

The Bill is a timely response to New Zealand’s challenging economic circumstances.  It will provide more certainty around the growth in government spending, greater spending restraint, and will improve the transparency of spending decisions. 

Mr Speaker, I move that the Local Government Borrowing Bill and Local Government (Auckland Council) Act 2009 Amendment Bill be now read a third time.

The purpose of the Local Government Borrowing Bill is to assist local authorities to borrow funds at lower interest rates than they can currently achieve.  The Bill will achieve this by facilitating the establishment and operation of the New Zealand Local Government Funding Agency. 

Mr Speaker, I move that the Local Government Borrowing Bill be now read a second time.

This Bill is to facilitate the establishment and operation of a new company, the New Zealand Local Government Funding Agency.  The Funding Agency will issue local government bonds to investors and on-lend the funds raised to participating local authorities to meet their funding needs.  This pooled approach will assist local authorities to borrow funds at lower interest rates than they can currently achieve. 

President John Burton, Members of the University Club, ladies and gentlemen - thank you for inviting me to join you here this afternoon.

Today I am going to talk to you about one of the largest restructurings, public or private, ever attempted in Australasia. I am going to talk to you about the amalgamation of eight sizeable councils to create one single organisation – the new Auckland Council. 

Good afternoon everyone and thank you for inviting me to speak today.

It is a tremendous privilege to be the Associate Education Minister.  I’ve learned so much about the large and complex area of special education in such a short time.

President Roger, ladies and gentlemen - good afternoon.  Thank you for inviting me to your meeting today.

My talk today is about Auckland, its future and the recent amalgamation of eight councils to create one single organisation – the new Auckland Council.  I would also like to touch on what we need to reverse the ever-increasing burden of red tape that is bedevilling New Zealand.

President of LGNZ Lawrence Yule, Chief Executive Eugene Bowen, other members of the LGNZ National Council, ladies and gentlemen – thank you for the opportunity to speak to you this afternoon.  I would like to thank Local Government New Zealand for organising this event and bringing us all together. 

This looks to be my last Local Government New Zealand National Conference.  There’s been regime change in my own Party and my time in politics appears over.

Crane Association President Grant Moffat, Chief Executive Ian Grooby, ladies and gentlemen - good morning to you all.

It’s a pleasure to be here with you once again to talk to you as Minister of Local Government.

Let me begin by acknowledging your contribution to our nation’s critical infrastructure.  And in particular, your support of crane operators and your campaign for increased training and safety standards.

Good morning and thank you for inviting me to speak at your conference today.  It’s great to be here today. 

I believe the best education systems are those where parents have a genuine choice of schools.  And a diverse range to choose from.  

High quality integrated schools make an important contribution to this diversity.

Parents value the range of educational programmes on offer at your schools – particularly the religious or philosophical values and aspirations that underpin them.

Speech to New Zealand Community Boards Conference; Energy Events Centre, Government Gardens, Queens Drive, Rotorua; May 6 2011

LGNZ Chief Executive Eugene Bowen, Chair of the New Zealand Community Boards Executive Committee Mike Cohen, Mayors, Councillors, Community Board Members, ladies and gentlemen - good afternoon and thank you for inviting me to speak today at your seventh Community Boards’ Conference.

Thank you for the opportunity to speak with you this morning.  It’s always a pleasure to be amongst the people who create the wealth in this community. 

If New Zealand is going to close the income gap with Australia, we’re going to need a lot more of you!

My topic for today is regulation – why it matters, and what the Government is doing about it. 

Seaweek Patron Bunny McDiarmid, my fellow MPs, Auckland Councillors, ladies and gentlemen; good evening and thank you for your kind invitation to launch Seaweek 2011.

Fisheries and Aquaculture Minister Phil Heatley, who is also Minister of Housing, sends his apologies for not being able to attend the launch tonight.

Due to the tragic events of last week, he is busy in Wellington organising housing solutions for those made homeless by last Tuesday’s earthquake.

Hon Rodney Hide opening address to SOLGM Shared Services in Local Government Conference; Brentwood Hotel, Kilbirnie, Wellington; Monday, February 14 2011.

Thank you for the opportunity to speak to you this morning at your Shared Services in Local Government conference.  I would like to thank SOLGM for organising this event and, in particular, Western Bay of Plenty District Council Chief Executive and Conference Chair Glenn Snelgrove for bringing us all together.  It is great to be here. 

Good afternoon everyone – it’s great to be here today.

Today I’ve had the pleasure of meeting Meghan Coppage and the students of Room 21 at Kelston Primary School.

One of the first things I learnt since becoming Associate Minister of Education is that being Deaf is a difference, not a disability.

You are proud of your unique language and values.  You are proud to be part of a passionate and energetic Deaf community.  Most importantly you are proud of who you are. 

Speech to Nelson City Luncheon Club, Masonic Lodge Hall, Nile St, Nelson; Monday, November 22 2010.

Federated Farmers President Don Nicholson, Vice-President Donald Aubrey, CEO Conor English, National Council Members, Provincial Presidents, Ladies and Gentlemen.  Good morning and thank you f

Speech To Disabled Persons Assembly National Conference
Ascot Park Hotel, Cnr Tay Street and Racecourse Road, Invercargill; Saturday, November 6 2010

Good evening and thank you for inviting me here today.

Mr Mayor, Prime Minister, Councillors, Board Members, honoured guests.

This is the day a huge number of people have worked towards for the best part of two years.

I congratulate you a

Good afternoon and thank you for the invitation to speak to you today.

As you are well aware, I am new to the role of Associate Education Minister.