Standards New Zealand: Meritorious Awards

Mr Chair, award winners, ladies and gentlemen thank you for the opportunity to speak at this awards ceremony.

I would like to acknowledge the valued partners - committee members, funders, professional associations, and industry advisory groups, as well as the volunteers and their supporting organisations, who work in the field of standardisation - and of course all the winners of the awards, who are being recognised here today,

The Meritorious Service Awards each year recognise the outstanding contributions of individual committee members - their expertise, hard work and dedication contributing to New Zealand's economic and social well-being.

Recognising the competing and increasing demands on people's time and responsibilities, it's important more than ever to focus and maximise valuable contributions that stakeholders make to standardisation work.

This work is part of a much bigger international picture that standards contribute to.

Standards help to create an infrastructure and environment that enables industry to put their resources to best use.

Standardisation also helps make markets work more effectively by reducing barriers to entry, and ensuring companies can see more clearly what is required to conduct business. It plays a key role in ensuring the smooth flow of international trade and commerce, while reducing risks.

Standardisation is also a crucial tool for building consumer confidence and providing assurance that the goods and services consumers buy will be safe, reliable and fit-for-purpose.  It improves the management of existing assets, and allows for innovation and better planning for future needs. 

Under its user-funded, not-for-profit model, Standards New Zealand offers an independent means to assess the suitability of international standards for use in New Zealand and, where necessary, develop variations or alternatives, to suit our local conditions.

For instance, New Zealand and Australia share a unique system of electrical supply, known, as a Multiple Earthed Neutral system (or M.E.N.) along with Australasian specific electrical outlets and plugs.  These differences are reflected in the AS/NZS 3000 standard that I had approved.

Volunteers, and the organisations that nominate and finance them, are critical to standards work in New Zealand.  Over 2,500 experts and consumer representatives generously donate their time and skills to serve on the standards committees.  In addition, there are thousands of others who give their time directly in Australasian and international standards activities. 

The commitment and professionalism of volunteers is important in maintaining the independence and rigour of standards solutions for New Zealand.

As Associate Minister of Energy and Resources, I have delegated responsibility for energy safety matters.  Needless to say, I greatly appreciate the effort and industry of all of you here today! 

Looking to the future, I am pleased to note that new Electricity Safety Regulations will come into force on 1 April 2010. New gas safety regulations are also in the final stages of development and are expected to be in place in May.

The new regulations reflect a commitment to WTO rules and international standards to the greatest extent possible, while still recognising the need to reflect environmental conditions that are specific to New Zealand.

I am also the Associate Minister for Disability Issues, and there is a large range of important national and international standards that apply across the broader health and disability sector, covering everything from product design specification to better practice in service delivery.  These of course include standards that focus on the needs of people with disabilities, such as aids and equipment, and on building design for ease of access and mobility.

Hence you are indeed in the business of improving the quality of life for all New Zealanders, and of strengthening New Zealand's place in the global market place. 

As well as celebrating past achievements, these awards events provide an opportunity to discuss future strategic issues, and for Standards New Zealand to outline plans for the coming year.

It is my pleasure to be here today.  Congratulations once again to all the winners.  I greatly value all your hard work and the contribution you make to Standards both in New Zealand and internationally.

Thank you