Search

A little over 6 months ago, we gathered here to bid farewell to the 2nd/1st Battalion.

Distinguished guests, new graduates, ladies and gentlemen.

Ladies and Gentlemen: I am delighted to be here tonight for the third annual Defence Industry Committee Award of Excellence.

I am going to begin with a slight detour.

Members and families of the Third Battalion Group, my parliamentary colleagues, Worship Jill White, Secretary of Defence Graham Fortune, Chief of Defence Force Carey Adamson, Major General Maurice Dodson, Brigadier Jerry Mateparae, Colonel Barry Vryenho

Ladies and Gentlemen

Thank you for the invitation to speak to what is the third Annual Conference hosted by the Military Studies Institute and Massey University.

I would like to heartily congratulate everyone who is graduating today. It is a major achievement – the training offered here at Burnham is not easy, and is not intended to be.

Major General Dodson, Brigadier Mataparae, Colonel O’Reilly, distinguished guests, new graduates, ladies and gentlemen.

There are many happy and proud people here today. And rightly so. As Defence Minister I too am immensely proud of the New Zealanders who have served their country with such distinction in East Timor.

Lieutenant Colonel Martin Dransfield, members of 2nd First Battalion Group, their friends and families, His Worship the Mayor (Gary Moore), Leader of the Opposition Jenny Shipley, other distinguished guests and members of the public.

Thank you for the invitation to speak to you this evening.

Thank you for your invitation to attend this meeting today. I am pleased to be here and am looking forward to hearing your views.

Thank you for your invitation to attend this meeting today. I am pleased to be here and am looking forward to hearing your views.

Sir Ron, Air Marshal Adamson, parliamentary colleagues, invited guests…

Welcome