South Canterbury Chamber of Commerce Reception

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E kui mā, e koro mā, tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou katoa.  Ladies and gentlemen, greetings to you all.

Thank you for inviting Janine, our party and me to this South Canterbury Chamber of Commerce “Business After 5” reception here at Aoraki Polytechnic.  Given that it is business after five, I thought I should keep my comments tight – a “tight 5” minutes!

While we have visited Timaru before, today marks the start of our first official Vice-Regal visit to South Canterbury.  The philosopher Heraclitus said “you cannot step into the same river twice”, so I thought I would say something about the purpose of our visit. 

Our visit began with a call at Arowhenua Marae near Temuka.  As I said there, we went there as a courtesy, and to recognise their manawhenua status in this area.  It also recognises the growing role of Ngāi Tahu in the economic, social and cultural fabric of the South Island.

There are various interpretations for the word “Arowhenua”, which literally translates as the “face of the land”.  More widely it refers to the tilled land—its face—being good for cultivation.

That wider meaning applies well to this place and this gathering.  You make up a small proportion of New Zealand’s population, but this fertile land contributes far more to the economic prosperity of our nation in agriculture and especially the growing dairy industry, and in industry, trade and business. 

I understand, for example, that Fonterra’s Clandeboye factory is the largest producer of unsalted butter in the world.   With the new Grainstor flour mill almost completed , on-going developments at the port, a new salmon processing factory  and a significant expansion of the Light Leathers factory at Washdyke  - which we are visiting tomorrow - I sense considerable business confidence and the prospect of improved employment opportunities. 

Tourism is also playing a greater role.  This morning we visited the fascinating Te Ana Māori Rock Art Centre.  Tomorrow I will be starting the 400km-long Central South Island Charity Bike Ride – I hasten to add not starting in the bike ride!  The first venue underscores the interest of visitors to New Zealand in Māori art and culture, while the second pinpoints the growth of sport-based adventure tourism initiatives as spurs for economic development.

In promoting and marketing this region as a tourism destination and in promoting economic, business and enterprise development, the South Canterbury Chamber of Commerce and Aoraki Development Business and Tourism play a critical role.  The Chamber’s Business Excellence Awards, for example, reward innovative businesses and also bring to wider public attention the enterprising culture of the district.  These are two ideas that resonate with the themes I have set for my term as the Governor-General.

So we make our steps into South Canterbury for the first time as the Vice Regal couple, we are here to learn of your plans and your aspirations for the future.  In order to do that, we will be meeting people in education, local government, conservation and a host of different businesses and community groups.

Thank you again for your warm welcome and your hospitality.  We look forward to talking to you over the course of this evening.  Kia ora huihui tātou katoa.