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John [Hon John Luxton, Chair Dairy NZ], Tim [Tim Mackle Chief Executive] and members of the Dairy NZ Board for organizing this event.

I would like to acknowledge my Parliamentary colleagues: Hon Damien O’Connor, Ian McKelvie, Barbara Kuriger, and Fletcher Tabuteau.

There are also a large number of CE’s and leaders from business, government and local government here, including Kingi Smiler, Chairman of Miraka and Laurie Margrain, Chairman for Open Country Dairy, and Martyn Dunne, Director General of the Ministry for Primary Industries.

Good afternoon everyone, and welcome to the second Primary Growth Partnership Expo.

I want to start by acknowledging the industry partners who have committed to the PGP programmes; the business leaders who have supported these projects, and MPI and PGP programme partners who have organised today’s Expo.

I would like to pass on Minister Guy’s apologies for his absence today. He is currently leading a trade and enterprise mission to India and Sri Lanka.

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

Good afternoon everyone.

I am delighted to have been reappointed as Minister for the Community and Voluntary Sector, to have the chance to once again address you and I am looking forward to continuing the partnership between Government and your sector over the next three years.

I am an immensely proud supporter of your work and want to thank you all for your valuable contribution. You are making New Zealand a better place.