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Good afternoon everyone.

It is a privilege to be speaking here today as Minister of Veterans’ Affairs.

It is great to see so many people gathered here as we commemorate the 70th anniversary of the Battle of Crete.

I would like to acknowledge the distinguished guests who are with us today:

Ladies and Gentlemen

I am very proud to be leading a Government that is doing the right thing by New Zealanders.

And I am proud to be leading a Government that has faced the challenges of the last few years and is putting New Zealand on a path to stronger and more sustainable growth.

Yesterday’s Budget was another firm step on that path.

The plan the Budget sets out is very clear.

First, it’s about getting the government’s finances in order.

Today we commemorate the battles in and around Maleme and Galatas. This sector saw the most intense fighting in the Battle of Crete, and the most decisive.

Thank you for the opportunity to speak to you about some of the key features of New Zealand’s foreign policy, and in particular some key areas in which they intersect with the interests of the United States and provide a basis for closer cooperation in the years immediately ahead.

I am in Washington this week to continue the wide-ranging dialogue between New Zealand and the United States about areas in which we can work together and share perspectives.

Your Excellencies, Rt Hon Sir Anand Satyanand, Governor-General of New Zealand and Lady Susan Satyanand;

The Trustees and staff of Wellington Community Trust; our wonderful community leaders, and their equally remarkable families and friends.

I have the great honour of speaking on behalf of the judging panel.

And before I do so, I want to warmly acknowledge my fellow judges;

Tēnā koutou, Kia Orana, Talofa and Pacific greetings to you all, and good morning

I am delighted to be here today to celebrate the commitment and effort of all involved in improving the oral health of our children and teenagers in this community.

But before I talk about this new clinic and the Government and Hutt Valley DHB’s plans to improve oral health, I wish to acknowledge the work that has brought us here today.

It has been a long time in the planning.

Greetings and thank you for inviting me to speak here today. 

The Government has worked hard this term to maintain forward momentum in the trade sector.

Border services that are not seamless cost industry money and impact on national economies. Evidence shows that inefficient border processes can be a significant barrier to trade.

As we travelled here this morning, I had one of those epiphany moments – that sudden realisation which illuminates the significance of this day, this moment in time.

It comes from the concept of Hohourongo – the name which you have embraced for your programme.

When I hear the word Hohouronga, I think of one of our marae at home – Maungarongo Marae in Ohakune.

I am absolutely rapt to be here today, to celebrate the launch of Te Whakaaheitanga Marae Accessibility Toolkit.

There is no better message than that of the vision of CCS Disability Action: Te Hunga Haua Mauri mo nga tangata katoa : including all people.

How do we truly care for all our people? What does inclusion mean? How do we ensure the environments we live, work and play in, are safe, friendly and accessible?

And importantly how do we increase awareness about the various health and disability issues that members of our whanau may face when at the marae.

 Good morning and thank you for having me.

In today’s environment I can’t think of a more appropriate theme for your conference than the one you’ve chosen. “Positivity” is something we’re all going to need.

 It’s something the Canterbury community has shown in buckets. Who would’ve thought that on top of the usual business challenges and financial pressures, your members and their supporters down south would be facing the physical destruction of premises, port and lives? 

It gives me great pleasure to be here this evening, and to represent the New Zealand Government as we gather to celebrate the 63^rd anniversary of Israel’s independence.

I’d like to acknowledge Labour MP Lianne Dalziel, Reserve Bank Governor Alan Bollard, FMA chief executive Sean Hughes and the FMA board, members of the FMA Establishment Board, and members of the board of Infinz. It's a pleasure to be here at this event again.

My thanks to Infinz for the invitation to speak at an awards ceremony which celebrates excellence and achievement in the finance industry.

Mr Speaker, I move that the Environmental Protection Authority Bill, the Climate Change Response Amendment Bill, the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Amendment Bill, the Imports and Exports (Restrictions) Amendment Bill, the Ozone Layer Protection Amendment Bill, and the Resource Management Amendment Bill be now read a third time.

It is a pleasure to be at the last stage of this important reform to the governance arrangements for New Zealand's environment.

Ladies and Gentlemen

I want to start by thanking Business New Zealand for co-hosting this lunch.

More importantly, I want to thank them for the constructive role they play in representing New Zealand businesses and employers.

I’d also like to thank Fujitsu for their part in sponsoring this event as well.

In a week’s time Bill English will deliver his third Budget.

Kia ora koutou katoa

Thank you for inviting me here to celebrate International Nurses Day, which is tomorrow May 12, and which also happens to be Florence Nightingale’s birthday.   It is a pleasure to take time to recognise the great contribution that nurses make to the health of New Zealanders.  I’d like to extend greetings to Nano Tunnicliffe, Kerri Nuku,  and Siloma Masina. 

Mr Cunningham, Honourable Ministers, Parliamentary colleagues, Excellencies and members of the diplomatic corps, Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen.

On behalf of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Honourable Murray McCully, it is my honour to respond to the Chargé’s toast on this important occasion celebrating Europe Day.

As New Zealand and the European Union enter our 51st year of diplomatic relations, our links with Europe remain strong.

Good evening and thank you for inviting me to launch the AIRCARE Accreditation programme. I’m delighted to be launching such a positive and significant programme.

The AIRCARE risk management programme and compliance regime are an excellent example of the aviation industry collaborating with its stakeholders, including the Department of Conservation, to integrate quality safety and environmental practices.

Greetings, it is a pleasure to be here to open to new premises of the National Council of Women of New Zealand.

The Council has been contributing to women’s progress for 115 years. Their service to women, the family and the community at local, national and international levels through advocacy, research, and action has been extremely valuable.

I would like to start by talking about the Government’s vision for New Zealand. That is to build a strong economy and a society that enables all New Zealanders to reach their personal goals and dreams.

Firstly, may I acknowledge, John Allen, Chair on the Board of Be.Institute, Chair of the New Zealand Employers Disability Network and Chief Executive Officer of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, for your visionary leadership in establishing this Be. Accessible initiative.

I want to also thank Sir Don McKinnon – Director of the Auckland War Memorial Museum, for your generous partnership in hosting us here tonight and for your ongoing commitment to accessibility.

I have never been happier to be here in Aotearoa; on our whenua.

Good morning ladies and gentlemen.

Thank you for joining me at today’s breakfast briefing. All of us have a vested interest in immigration and I’m pleased to share with you some specific actions the Government is taking to enhance Immigration’s contribution to the economy, service improvement and changes to business migration.

Introduction

Thank you very much for inviting me to speak here today.

I am always pleased to attend business expos – I can sense the excitement in the air and the potential for great things from small beginnings.

It always amazes me how many vibrant and innovative small businesses we have in this country.

Today I want to give you an idea of:

Thank you for inviting me to open your symposium today.

I’d like to acknowledge the Counselling Services Centre, Auckland Sexual Abuse HELP, and Rape Prevention Education for hosting this symposium.

As many of you will know, I’m retiring from politics at the election, so this is probably the last time I’ll speak to you as a sector.

I’d like to begin by expressing my appreciation for the open and co-operative way in which you’ve engaged with me and my officials over the past two-and-a-half years.

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.

Greetings and welcome

Today we are here to launch the online component of the Licensed Building Practitioner’s scheme. A component which will make it simple for our professional licensed building practitioners to comply with the requirements of the scheme and keep their details current.

LBPs are essential in bringing a qualified, professional workforce to the building and construction sector and ensuring quality buildings for the future.