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Zespri Chairman Peter McBride, CEO Lain Jager, my ministerial colleague Todd McLay, Todd Muller, our candidate for the Bay of Plenty – well known to all of you because of his close involvement with your industry – ladies and gentlemen.

Around the world, friends of India, strategists, business groups and others are all starting to ask a rather important question. With the landslide victory of the BJP over Congress, we have seen a shift in the political tectonic plates. What implications will this have, if any, for India’s approach to international economic negotiations? No doubt, even that is too confining; as Minister of Climate Change Issues, I am also wondering about that matter in terms of the international climate change negotiations. But today, I wear my Trade hat.

Thank you for this opportunity to address the NZ China Centre at my old Alma Mater, Victoria University.

I of course understand there are other pathways to relative professional success than tertiary qualifications. But having a great education from an excellent University is certainly one of them. I have never forgotten that. Nor have I forgotten one or two of the key Professors of this University who helped me so much as a young man.

Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen.

It’s a pleasure to be here in Manila on my first visit as New Zealand Trade Minister alongside a delegation of New Zealand companies. 

I’d like to acknowledge in particular the business chambers that have supported today’s event.

Prime Minister John Key was to have visited Manila with a business delegation in November last year before plans were put on hold by the tragedy that was Typhoon Yolanda.

Given the theme of your Conference – "Rising Asia: Messages for the Next 20 Years", it took me no time to select a topic for my speech – "TPP and Trade Integration in the Asia-Pacific".

Distinguished Guests

Ladies and Gentlemen

I would first of all like to thank the NZ/China Council for providing this forum for business leaders here in Auckland for the APEC Business Advisory Council meetings. To our foreign guests, especially those who are making their first visit to New Zealand let me extend the warmest of welcomes.

In terms of the climate - both literal and economic - you have come to New Zealand at the right time. We hope you will do more than talk about the APEC Business Advisory Agenda and actually do some business here. This is a country very much open for business.