Speeches

Morena koutou and thank you to the conference organisers and our hosts Waikato-Tainui for the opportunity to speak today.

Speech at the Institute of International and European Affairs.

Next Monday is the 8th anniversary of the dreadful tragedy at Pike River Coal Mine. Two men escaped with their lives. 29 others never came home.

Talofa lava, Kia Orana tatou katoatoa, malo e lelei, fakalofalahi atu, Malo ni, Taloha ni, Ni Sa bula vinaka, Warm Pacific greetings to one and all.

As you all know, this week is a momentous one for New Zealand-Irish relations. Because at the end of this week, we will finally determine who has the best rugby team in world.

I am delighted to be here at the Royal Academy tonight, not least to have the opportunity to experience the many exceptional works from around Oceania in this beautiful setting.

For many of you living here in Sweden it must seem New Zealand is a country at the very end of the earth.

Thank you all for joining us tonight for the re-opening of New Zealand’s Embassy in Stockholm.

Welcome and thank you all for coming here this morning. I would like to acknowledge Conservation Minister Eugenie Sage, and give my thanks for the work that the Department of Conservation is doing with the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment in regards to the tourism sector.