Enterprise New Zealand Trust Dinner

Ladies and Gentlemen, I greet you in the languages of the realm of New Zealand - English, Maori, Cook Island Maori, Niuean, Tokelauan and Sign Language.

Greetings, Kia Ora, Kia Orana, Fakalofa Lahi Atu, Taloha Ni and (Sign)

Specifically I greet you: Tony Caughey, Chairman Enterprise New Zealand Trust; Angus Fletcher, Deputy Chair The Fletcher; Supporters and Sponsors of Enterprise New Zealand Trust; Distinguished Guests.

My wife Susan and I thank you for your invitation to attend this evening's Enterprise New Zealand Trust dinner in honour of The Fletcher Trust.

In every New Zealand setting, whoever speaks ought first to establish a place to stand before the audience. 

In that regard, it is very much part of my mandate to celebrate the difference such bodies as the Enterprise New Zealand Trust, and by extension, The Fletcher Trust, make to our country's future.

Secondly, I am speaking as a long-time advocate for enterprise education. As a parent I am aware of how important it is to teach young people the value of enterprise.

New Zealand is a small country and it is set quite on its own in the Pacific. In part, these features are what make us special.

However, this has given rise to considerable challenges. We have had to work extra hard to shine on the world stage in our efforts.  Sport, politics, humanitarianism and agriculture are examples of our achievements.

We want to maintain an international presence in the future that belies our small size.  Our domestic affairs, including our economy and society, must first be in excellent shape.

By giving youth an experience of industry, commerce, innovation and entrepreneurship, they can realise a better future for themselves and this special country.

Enterprise New Zealand is working towards this goal.  We may already be seeing the results of this focused effort.

In the past, we were better known for our prowess in sports, for our leadership in humanitarian and environmental pursuits and for our quality agricultural produce.  Our brand is increasingly recognised as business innovators.

Even in the last decade there has been a notable shift.  May I give a few examples?

Fonterra is a company which adds international value to a core New Zealand export product through pioneering enterprise. They now lead the world in dairy innovation.

Fisher and Paykel is a household name in New Zealand and is making a name for itself overseas as an intelligent and highly desirable brand. In 2005, it was listed as a "CoolBrand Leader" in the United Kingdom, by independent arbiter on branding, SuperBrands.

Of course, our wine industry is a further illustration of what we can achieve when we start with a good product and combine it with ambition, innovation and smart marketing.

Clothing company Icebreaker and vodka brand, 42 Below, which was recently sold to Bacardi for many millions of dollars are stellar examples of Kiwi entrepreneurship.

I would not be surprised to learn that these companies have on their teams people who were once involved with Enterprise New Zealand in some capacity.

These successes are important because they help set a precedent young people can follow. When they see New Zealanders succeed, they may be more confident in seeking success themselves.

In the past we have acknowledged our sporting and cultural heroes, but we have not given our business heroes the same recognition.

I believe this is changing as we are more willing to celebrate business achievement.

I congratulate both Enterprise New Zealand and the Fletcher Trust for the role they each play in this.

I began speaking in all the New Zealand realm languages.  May I close by speaking in Maori, issuing greetings and wishing you good health and fortitude in your endeavours.

No reira, tena koutou, tena koutou, kia ora, kia kaha, tena koutou katoa