State Dinner for the President of the Philippines

Your Excellency, Madame President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo; Secretary of Foreign Affairs for The Philippines, Hon Alberto Romulo; Philippines Ambassador to New Zealand, Bienvenido Tejano; Distinguished Members of the Philippines Delegation; New Zealand Ambassador to the Philippines, David Pine; Deputy Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Dr John McArthur; Chief Human Rights Commissioner, Rosslyn Noonan; Executive Director Asia New Zealand Foundation Distinguished Guests all, Ladies and Gentlemen.  Greetings in the languages of the realm of New Zealand - Maori Cook Island Maori, Niuean, Tokelauan and Sign Language.

Your Excellency - I want first to register thanks for your visit to us in New Zealand and to say that my wife Susan and I have the privilege to declare that to you, on behalf of all New Zealanders.

The relationship between our two countries is warm and cooperative and we are delighted to have this relationship strengthened further by your presence.

New Zealand is pleased to have been co-sponsoring the 3^rd Regional Interfaith Dialogue, aptly themed Building Bridges, with the Philippines.

Our country maintains a belief that interfaith and intercultural dialogue can help to counter religious extremism by encouraging understanding and respect amongst faith communities and cultures.

We are a nation of growing ethnic and cultural diversity and therefore opportunities arise to encourage and nurture greater understanding.

In other spheres New Zealand greatly appreciates the cooperation received from the Philippines in a number of regional and global forums including APEC, FEALAC, ASEAN Regional Forum, the EAS and the WTO.

We also value the bilateral linkages we have with the Philippines in defence, education, tourism, and Official Development Assistance.

We look forward to exploring new opportunities in sectors such as policing, taxation, conservation, natural resources, ICT, energy and human rights.

May I thank the Philippines for able chairing of ASEAN and of the EAS and we appreciate the efforts of the Philippines in regard to development of an ASEAN Charter and hope that these positive efforts will continue.

Gathered here this evening Madame President ( I hope) suitably and strategically placed alongside Filipino friends are signal New Zealanders whose interest and capacity to develop strands in our relationship will emerge in the conversations accompanying our Dinner.

As well as specialist members of our Foreign Service they include Rosslyn Noonan Chief Human Rights Commissioner a contributor to the Human Rights maintenance and development internationally, and Adele Mason Acting Director of the public and private sector organisation with a 12 year record in adding value to NZ-Asia links - the Asia New Zealand Foundation.

Please enjoy your Dinner.