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As Minister for Economic and Regional Development it is my pleasure to support the release of the Draft Advanced Manufacturing Industry Transformation Plan for public consultation.

Ata mārie. It is an honour to host you all at Parliament today, to celebrate 100 years of the Cawthron Institute, New Zealand’s largest independent science organisation.

In Te Reo Māori, the language of the indigenous people of New Zealand, I paid tribute to all of the esteemed guests who stand here in this great forest of knowledge. It is a privilege to be here, and I thank you for the honour.

It is my pleasure to be here at TRENZ 2022, as I know that the conversations that happen here will play a crucial role in shaping New Zealand’s tourism recovery.

Director-General, esteemed fellow Ministers, and colleagues, tēnā koutou katoa. Greetings to all.

It is timely, given that in last week’s Budget the Government announced significant funding to ensure an efficient transition to the future resource management system.

Morena tatou katoa. Kua tae mai i runga i te kaupapa o te rā.

Navigating difficult times, while also making necessary progress. Dealing with the unexpected, and always, always planning for the future. Challenges not least of which include a one in 100 year health crisis, followed by the biggest economic shock since the Great Depression. And just as the world was recovering, it’s been plunged into the uncertainty of war. 

It is my great pleasure to present New Zealand’s fourth Wellbeing Budget.

Just after World War 2, there were incentives to clear forest and bring land into agricultural production. In places, the land had been stripped bare as forests were felled for sheep grazing.

I want to start by thanking our hosts the Wellington Chamber of Commerce who graciously do this every year as we lead into the Budget.

Thank you to Business New Zealand and Fujitsu for hosting us here today, and I am grateful to be joined by Minister Faafoi, and Minister Hipkins.

Tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou katoa.

Ngā mihi o te ata.

Good morning.

Thank you, Stephen, for that kind introduction.

And thank you, again, to ASB for hosting us today.

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Today I am setting out our plan to deal with growing hospital waiting lists.

It is a pleasure to be here tonight addressing you all and continuing to showcase New Zealand’s reconnection to the world.

I want to thank Rabobank for hosting us this morning, and all of you for making it along for an early start.

It is a pleasure to participate today in the United States Business Summit and to have the opportunity to speak to you about the US-New Zealand trade and economic relationship.

Today we are tabling in Parliament and releasing Rautaki Hanganga o Aotearoa, the 30-year New Zealand Infrastructure Strategy from Te Waihanga, the New Zealand Infrastructure Commission.

Today I come to you amid a six month exercise of accelerating New Zealand’s re-entry onto the world stage.

Those coming here expecting announcements of new tax policy will be disappointed. None are being made. We have no secret plan to introduce a CGT nor a wealth tax or a deemed income tax, nor others.

Let me start by saying how wonderful it is to see people up and down the country gathering together in person again this year, in commemoration of Anzac Day.

Locality planning networks are an essential feature of the health reforms which, subject to the legislation passing in Parliament, will take effect on 1 July.

Prime Minister Lee – thank you for the very warm welcome to Singapore.  

Significant progress has been made in improving connectivity for rural areas across New Zealand figures released today show.