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Thank you for taking the time to be here today. 

I said earlier this year that I view one of the most important roles that I have is to better make the case with the New Zealand public about why trade openness and trade agreements are vital for the success of New Zealand businesses and the prosperity of New Zealanders.

Why trade is important to NZ

Whilst we are too small to produce everything we need, in some areas we also produce far more than we need. 

Good afternoon and thank you for having me.

I wanted to take the opportunity today to stand back a bit from some of the day to day issues and pick one of two things which are forcing us to change the way we think.

But before I do that I want to cover the economy briefly.

New Zealand’s economic prospects are good.

There are a lot of events going on around the world that cause concern on any day of the week. We can’t do much about any of them.

Thank you for the privilege of giving this 2016 Lincoln Environment lecture. I’d like to acknowledge Lincoln University Chancellor Tony Hall distinguished guests, fellow MPs, and the Centre for Nature Conservation staff who are hosting us tonight.

Kia ora Tatou and a very good afternoon to you all.

Thank you for the invitation to speak at your AGM this afternoon and for the kind introduction.

May I acknowledge:

• Barry Dyer, CEO of Responsible Care
• Gordon MacDonald, Chief Executive of WorkSafe New Zealand.
• Tom Barratt, Chairman RCNZ

This afternoon I want to share some insights with you about the Fire and Emergency New Zealand Bill and in particular what the changes will mean in relationship to the chemical industry.

Introduction

It’s great to be here today to open the New Zealand College of Midwives 14th biennial national conference.

I’d like to acknowledge the New Zealand College of Midwives Auckland region for hosting the conference, as well as the keynote speakers.

Midwifery contribution

The birth of a child is the most important event in life for most Kiwis. There are close to 60,000 new births annually in New Zealand.

Āta mārie, nau mai, haere mai, tēnā koutou katoa.

Good morning everyone and welcome to the final day of The Mental Health Services Conference 2016, or perhaps better known by many, as the Themes (ThMHS) conference. 

My greetings to you the service users, your whānau and families, and the mental health and addictions workforce in the various roles that you provide in delivering these much needed services.

A very warm welcome also to our Australian colleagues and all other international visitors participating in this annual conference. 

Thank you for the opportunity to speak today.

The last 15 years has seen the international strategic environment become increasingly uncertain and unstable. 

If we ever were in a benign strategic environment we most certainly are no longer.

Some of the changes have evolved more gradually, for example the resurgence of a more assertive Russia.

The growing economic might of China and its emergence as a military big power.

Good morning and kiaora koutou.

Thank you, Tony for your introduction.

I was honoured to receive the invitation from the Aeromedical Society of Australasia (ASA) and the College of Air & Surface Transport Nurses (COASTN) to open this year’s annual conference.

A very warm welcome to those visiting from overseas – I understand we have visitors here from Germany, the USA, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea and of course a strong Australian contingent.

It’s always a good sign when a service provider takes steps to upgrade their offering without some complaint or customer pressure to improve.

That’s what’s happened here – the policy community has decided to lift their game without being asked to.

I initially wondered why we needed the Policy Project – I was pretty happy with the service I was getting.

 But there is always room for continuous improvement and innovation.

E nga mana, e nga reo, e te iwi o te motu, tena koutou, tena koutou, tena koutou katoa

Good morning everyone and can I thank you for the invitation to be here today. I’d like to acknowledge:

I want to thank Foreign Minister Lavrov for very constructive discussions and a warm reception in Moscow.

We have held full and wide ranging discussions. Russia plays an important role in global affairs and I valued the opportunity to hear Russia’s views directly.

Bilaterally we have seen trade relations decline in the last two years.

New Zealand and Russia hold different views on the situation in Ukraine, and while we are not part of the sanctions or counter-sanctions process, these differences have constrained trade relations.

Good evening.

It is a privilege to be here tonight for this important event, launching Taking Action on Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder: 2016-2019.

I would like to start by thanking you all for joining me here this evening.

The representation in this room is humbling.

It reflects not only how important this issue is, but the willingness across communities, sectors, industries and agencies to work together to make a difference.

Tēnā koutou katoa, Kia orana, Taloha ni, Fakaalofa lahi atu, Talofa lava, Mālō e lelei, Ni sa bula vinaka, and greetings to you all.

First of all today, I wish to acknowledge our guest speakers: Professor Terry Scott, Susan Barrett, Louisa Barham and the Children’s Commissioner Judge Andrew Becroft. Thank you for taking the time to share your experiences and expertise with us. 

Tēnā koutou katoa

I would like to acknowledge and welcome all guests here today, to celebrate this important milestone in our journey to launch an exciting new exhibition of three of our treasured taonga that shape us a nation. 

I wish to welcome our manawhenua leaders Neville Baker and Taku Parai.

Neville and Taku, also other manawhenua representatives here today, have stood with us throughout this exhibition journey, guiding and supporting us on tikanga and protocols.

For this we thank you sincerely.

Tēnā koutou katoa

Thank you Marilyn for that introduction.

I would like to acknowledge and welcome all guests here today, to celebrate this important milestone in our journey to launch an exciting new exhibition of three of our treasured taonga that shape us a nation. 

Placeholder: I want to acknowledge my Parliamentary colleagues [to be completed on the day dependant on attendance.]

I wish to welcome our manawhenua leaders Neville Baker and Taku Parai.

As a trading nation, New Zealand has much it can be proud of. For two small islands of 4.5 million people, thousands of kilometers from distant markets, we produce high quality goods and services wanted by consumers all over the world.
We've had a significant influence on world trade policy over the years.  New Zealanders have played an influential role at the WTO helping shape the world's trade architecture.  

Opening

Thanks Tim. It’s a pleasure to be here today.

I would like to acknowledge Dr Tim Malloy, the College’s President and Andrew Connolly from the Medical Council.

Your conference theme, Reflect, Renew, Replenish, is certainly timely given some of the significant developments in the wider health sector over the past year: the refresh of the Health Strategy, the Digital Health Work Programme 2020, the launch of the Pharmacy Action Plan, and new system performance measures.

Good afternoon.

It’s great to be here today, at the Zealandia wildlife sanctuary in the heart of our capital city.

It’s an important place for New Zealand and it tells an important story.

It shows that, as Sir Paul Callaghan said shortly before his passing, we can bring back our native wildlife to our main islands.

This was once thought to be impossible.

But Zealandia has been remarkably successful in achieving its conservation goals, and inspiring many similar efforts around the country.

Speech to New Zealand School Trustees Association 27th Annual Conference

Introduction

Tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou katoa.

Thank you Lorraine for your kind welcome and for the opportunity to take part in your 27th Annual Conference.

I want to take a moment to acknowledge you personally. You are so hard working and a great person. Thank you for your many years of service.

I would like to acknowledge the crucial role that the NZSTA plays in supporting Boards of Trustees.

I move, that the Fire and Emergency New Zealand Bill now be read a first time.

I nominate the Government Administration Committee to consider the bill.

This bill repeals and replaces two pieces of legislation – the Fire Service Act 1975 and the Forest and Rural Fires Act 1977, and instigates the biggest change to the fire services of New Zealand since the response to the disastrous Ballantyne’s fire in Christchurch nearly 70 years ago.

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

It is a pleasure to be here today to open this event, celebrating 20 years of the Food Treaty.

I want to use this opportunity to highlight the importance and success of the Food Treaty for both Australia and New Zealand, and also give my thoughts on some of the topics you will be hearing about today, including the future of food regulation.

Importance of trans-Tasman relationship and success of the Food Treaty

Introduction

It’s great to be here for the sixth New Zealand Healthcare Congress.

I’d like to thank you all for the work that you do, there’s some impressive stuff happening.

While health systems across the world are facing a range of challenges - an ageing population, tough fiscal times, and while we can do more for patients that creates an affordability issue in itself.

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

I would like to start by acknowledging:

• Apiculture New Zealand and the newly elected board members
• Scott Gallacher, Deputy-Director General, Regulatory & Assurance, MPI

It is a pleasure to be here today at the first ever Apiculture New Zealand National Conference.

It is great to see the establishment of Apiculture New Zealand, and the unification of the apiculture industry that this represents.

Good morning and Kia ora tatou.

Thank you Rebecca for your introduction.

I note the theme of this conference is disruptive innovation.

According to the commentariat, this is a subject that I should have daily familiarity with, allegedly because of my hair.

Well, I am sorry to disappoint them, but it is 100% natural, in texture and colour, and seldom needs more than a brush in the morning.

However, on a more serious and substantial note, thank you for the opportunity to open this conference once again, and to address you all today.