Speech
Asia:NZ Young Leaders Forum 2007 Dinner
May I begin by greeting everyone in the languages of the realm of New Zealand - English, Maori, Cook Island Maori, Niuean, Tokelauan and New Zealand Sign Language.
Greetings, Kia Ora, Kia Orana, Fakalofa Lahi Atu, Taloha Ni and as it is the evening (Sign)
May I specifically acknowledge you: Richard Nottage, Deputy Chairman of the Asia New Zealand Foundation former Secretary of Foreign Affairs and Ambassador for New Zealand to Japan; Your Fellow Trustees of the Foundation, Pansy Wong and Lex Henry, Distinguished Guests otherwise; Ladies and Gentlemen.
As Patron of the Asia New Zealand Foundation, it gives me great pleasure to speak to the second Asia New Zealand Young Leaders Forum Dinner. Last year's Dinner was a highlight, both for myself and my wife Susan, and I would like to take an opportunity to reflect on the work of the Forum.
With comfortably more than half of the world's population, Asia's economic prosperity and political stability is crucial to New Zealand. The New Zealand Government has devoted considerable effort and resources to developing trade and political relationships throughout Asia and particularly to date in North Asia.
However, political and economic relationships, as detailed in trade and diplomatic agreements, will only be words on paper unless they are based on relationships between people that include social and cultural contacts. Such networks between people develop understanding and trust.
I therefore commend the Asia New Zealand Foundation for establishing the Young Leaders Forum. By creating a network of young ambassadors it develops wider relationships and will inspire fresh thinking on how a more vibrant and integrated future between New Zealand and people in Asian countries might be built.
The Forum also highlights the need for all New Zealanders to deliberately identify, cultivate and support the young people who will lead the development of New Zealand's future relations with Asia. The programme has included a number of relevant themes - trade, leadership, interfaith, marketing to name four.
Last year's Young Leaders have constituted an informed and energetic presence at important events such as the Action Asia Business Summit, the launch of the Government's White Paper Our future with Asia, and a number of other cultural, business and media events. I have read the Foundation website and the specific Young Leaders Forum excellent website and in particular its account of what a number of the 06 attendees have undertaken.
The opportunities for the participants of this Forum to make a difference in the ongoing building of relationships between New Zealand and the countries of Asia are vast. I know that the Asia NZ Foundation will work to ensure that you the participants have every opportunity to keep in touch and build on experiences you will each have gained.
I would therefore urge the invited guests tonight to keep an interest in this programme. The relationships formed during the week are intended to benefit not only the individuals involved, but, in the end, also the wider interest of our country, New Zealand, and the countries of Asia.
In conclusion, I add congratulations to all 38 Asia NZ Young Leaders Forum 2007 participants and look forward to seeing an array of positive things coming out of this year's programme.
On that dual note, then, of congratulations and forward projection that I have tried to strike, I will close in our country's first language Maori, issuing greetings and wishing everyone good health and fortitude in your endeavours.
No reira, tena koutou, tena koutou, kia ora, kia kaha, tena koutou katoa