Speeches

E ngā mana, e ngā reo Prestigious people, speakers of note
E ngā rangatira mā Chiefly leaders
Tēna koutou kātoa Greetings to you all

E mihi ana ki te rangi

E mihi ana ki te whenua

Excellences, colleagues, members of the diplomatic corps, ladies and gentlemen, kia ora tatou katoa, warm Pacific greetings to one and all.

Thank you for this opportunity to speak today.

We know that climate change is the single biggest threat to the livelihoods and wellbeing of the peoples of the Pacific and there is an urgent, immediate, and unprecedented need for greater and more ambitions action. And in my privileged position as Minister for Pacific Peoples, as I listen to my elders, the two, three, that have spoken earlier and as I get to engage with our Pacific leaders right across the Pacific region – we’re leading.

Introductory remarks as Chair

This is an important and timely meeting. Here in New York the climate conversation has shifted from positions and negotiations, to action and ambition. The discussion about science and impacts and commitments is no longer controversial. Most of the world has now turned to action. Many of us here have set our sights on 1.5 degrees, a goal which resonates so strongly in the Pacific region.

It is a privilege to be here today at the inaugural ministerial meeting of the Group of Friends of the Victims of Terrorism. And I’d like to convey our warm thanks to the governments of Afghanistan and Spain for their leadership on this important issue.

The 15th of March 2019 is forever etched into the psyche of our peoples. New Zealand experienced its worst ever terrorist attack in which 51 individuals were killed – men, women and children – and dozens more injured in attacks against our Muslim community when they were worshipping in two mosques in the city of Christchurch.

Speechnotes for the First Reading of the Arms Legislation Bill, Parliament

Introduction and overview

Tena koutou katoa, thank you for the opportunity to be here today.

One of my priorities out of Paris has been to develop a shared crisis response protocol – a shared set of expectations and understandings on who to contact and how to do it, should there be another attack like Christchurch.

Recently in New Zealand our journalists, like many around the world, took part in the Covering Climate Now campaign.

Earlier this year I visited the remote atolls of Tokelau in the South Pacific.