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E aku rangatira, tēnā koutou katoa. Ka nui te honore ki te mihi ki a koutou.

Thank you Jacob Tapiata for your warm introduction.

It’s a pleasure to be here today, and I thank Massey University for giving me the opportunity to be a part of this exciting event.

When I learned about this project called It’s My Life I was very impressed that you, the students, are the driving force behind it. 

I think it’s important that young people lead the way in creating a Smokefree New Zealand by 2025.

E aku rangatira, tēnā koutou katoa. Ka nui te honore ki te mihi ki a koutou.

Thank you for inviting me to speak about the value of the voluntary sector to New Zealand, and to assist in presenting this evening’s awards.

I am delighted to be a part of this wonderful and prestigious event.

The Trustpower Community Awards is now one of the country's largest community-based awards programmes.

Tena koutou katoa Nga Kaitiaki o Te Puna Rongoa o Aotearoa.

There is a special poignancy about being here at Owhata Marae today.   

One of the distinguished features of this marae, is the sacred rock called Iriirikapua – the place at which the tupuna kuia, Hinemoa, would sit, listening to Tutanekai playing his kouaua from Mokoia Island.

Today, we think of the plaintive beauty of that sound as it lingered over the waters – and we grieve as we remember the koroua, Hiwinui Heke and everything he meant to us.  

It is my pleasure to be here this afternoon and can I say how pleased I am to see international education on the agenda.

Over the last few years as Minister for Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment I’ve been privileged to travel overseas promoting New Zealand as a study destination, and helping to establishing links between New Zealand and overseas institutions.

The Global Energy Challenge

Energy is an integral part of our lives.

It is the foundation on which we build economic growth, prosperity and progress in our societies.  

Across the globe, we are all facing the same basic energy challenge.    

We want our citizens and countries to continue to develop and prosper.  

But we need to reduce carbon emissions from our energy use and respond to climate change.

Mr Speaker, I move that the Employment Relations Amendment Bill be now read a second time.  I thank the members of the Transport and Industrial Relations Committee, and particularly its chair David Bennett, for their thorough consideration of this Bill.

Mr Speaker, this Bill implements the Government’s policies aimed at increasing flexibility and fairness in our employment relations framework.

Distinguished Guests

It is a great pleasure to be in Beijing today.

And I’m pleased to be here at the China Agricultural University for the first time - thank you for your warm welcome.

This is my fourth visit to China, reflecting the strength of the bilateral relationship between our two countries.

It also demonstrates the importance we place on the relationship and the potential we have to take it even further forward.

With me today are New Zealand’s Minister of Trade Tim Groser, and our Food Safety Minister, Nikki Kaye.

E aku rangatira, tēnā koutou katoa. Ka nui te honore ki te mihi ki a koutou.

I would like to acknowledge the pan-industry conference organisers; the Forest Owners Association, the Wood Processors Association, Pine Manufacturers Association and the Forestry Industry Contractors Association.

I would also like to acknowledge our MC Dr James Buwalda and my fellow panellists, Labour’s Hon. David Cunliffe and Dr Russel Norman from the Greens.

Tena koutou katoa     

Ambassador Taylor, Trade Commissioner Anderson, the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce, and the Indonesia New Zealand Council, members of the Renewable Energy delegation, representatives from New Zealand and Indonesian education institutions, Tourism New Zealand, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen.

Disability Commissioner, Paul Gibson - Your President, Shelley Waters, National Executive Officer, Zandra Vaccarino,  members and supporters of the New Zealand Down Syndrome Association.

My parliamentary colleagues, distinguished guests, friends, family and people with Down Syndrome.

When I think about the ritual of high tea images of tiered cake stands - fine-bone china, dainty sandwiches, lace doilies and fancy pastries come to mind.

But the other day I read a quote about a simple cup of tea - and I just have to share it:

Rau rangatira ma, nga mata waka, nga karangaranga maha, tena koutou.

Talofa lava, malo e lelei, kia orana, bula vinaka, fakaalofa lahi atu, namaste, malo ni, halo ola keta, mauri, fakatalofa atu.

Ki a koutou hoki te mana whenua o tenei rohe, Te Ati Awa, tena koutou, tena koutou, tena koutou.

I want to thank Kura Moeahu and Waiwhetu Marae for the warmth of your welcome. It is always good to return to this marae, a marae which lives up to its name, Aroha ki te tangata.

Thank you also to Reverend Nove Vailaau for opening our hui.

It is great to gather again at this, our 16th Bluegreens Forum, to positively influence how New Zealand manages its natural resources.

It is a special privilege to have Hon Greg Hunt, the Australian Environment Minister, join us. We share a common goal of pursuing policies for our respective nations that marry together sound stewardship of our natural heritage with a strong economy that provides good jobs and incomes for our citizens.

Thank you for the opportunity to address you all today.

The last few years have been some of the more challenging in New Zealand’s history. In the space of five short years we have endured the worst financial crisis since the Great Depression, the worst drought in 70 years, and of course the devastating series of earthquakes in the Canterbury region.

But we have largely weathered this storm, and while there will no doubt be further hurdles along the way, the future is looking bright for New Zealand.

Mr Chairman and distinguished colleagues.

Thank you for the opportunity to address this fifty-seventh meeting of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs.  I represent the New Zealand delegation in my capacity as Associate Minister of Health and the Minister responsible for alcohol and drugs policy. I am delighted to again return to Vienna and to express once more New Zealand’s support for the work of the CND and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. 

Thank you for inviting me to be here today — the most prestigious tax policy conference in New Zealand.

This is my first time addressing you and I imagine I am but the latest in a long line of Revenue Ministers you’ve seen. I’m told that IFA was founded in 1938. It was a very different world then. 

For instance, today we all use terms like ‘apps’, ‘software’, ‘googling’ and ‘Facebook’, which I am not planning to close down by the way.

Good morning and thank you for inviting me to open your symposium.

Opening remarks

I would like to thank Professor Norman Sharpe for his kind introduction. I would also like to take this opportunity, in front of this primary care audience, to acknowledge the tremendous contribution Norman has made to the prevention and management of heart disease.

This contribution has been made both during his 10 years as Medical Director of the Heart Foundation, and prior to that in his role at Auckland University.

I move that the Health and Safety Reform Bill be now read a first time.  I nominate the Transport and Industrial Relations Committee to consider the Bill.

The Government is committed to improving health and safety at work. 

This Bill represents the most significant law reform in this area in 20 years. Its main purpose is to provide for a balanced framework to secure the health and safety of workers and workplaces.

The new law will play a major role in helping us meet our target of reducing New Zealand’s workplace death toll by 25 per cent by 2020.

Associate Minister of Health Tariana Turia welcomes the latest ASH Year 10 Survey results which shows a continual decline in youth smoking.

The Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) Year 10 smoking survey shows daily smoking results (those who smoke at least once a day) and regular smoking results each year for students in Year 10 across the country.

Good afternoon everyone. Thank you Wayne, for my introduction. I would also like to thank our hosts, the TSB Community Trust, for inviting me to speak to you.

It’s great to see you all here today. I know that many of you have day jobs and other responsibilities in your communities, and it speaks to your dedication that you have made the effort to be here today.

Good morning.

It’s good to be here in a place where ideas are encouraged and discussed, because that’s what I want to do today.

Anzac Day is approaching and, as you know, next year we will commemorate the centenary of that fateful landing by the Anzacs on the Gallipoli Peninsula on April 25, 1915.

In the struggle, the sacrifice, and the wretchedness of Gallipoli, an Anzac reputation for courage, endurance and mateship was forged that has endured long after those who survived that campaign have passed on.

Thank you for inviting me to be with you today.

It is less than a year since I took over the Revenue portfolio and it is the first time I have had the pleasure of addressing your conference.

Since becoming Revenue Minister, one thing I have learned very quickly is that a tax system that comprises good tax policy supported by good administration is an essential part of a competitive and growing economy.

It is this Government’s strong economic record that I want to touch on first.

Economy

Good morning and thank you for inviting me here today to celebrate the $10 million redevelopment of your apartment complex.

The redevelopment work has been completed to ensure Ocean Shores Retirement Village in Mount Maunganui is a safe and healthy place to live.

Overseeing the 10 month long redevelopment, while still ensuring the wellbeing of your residents, must have been no easy task and I congratulate you on this achievement.

Ocean Shores is owned by Lend Lease who is the largest owner and operator of retirement villages in Australasia. 

Good morning

It’s a pleasure to be invited to open this Workshop today.

On behalf of the New Zealand Government, I welcome all the international participants to New Zealand, and to Auckland.

It’s great to see you here.

As Minister of Justice my focus – and that of my Government – is to ensure New Zealand has a high performing justice system which delivers justice to all New Zealanders efficiently and effectively.