Lion Foundation Young Enterprise Scheme National Awards

May I start by greeting everyone in the languages of the realm of New Zealand—English, Maori, Cook Island Maori, Niuean, Tokelauan and New Zealand Sign Language. reetings, Kia Ora, Kia Orana, Fakalofa Lahi Atu, Taloha Ni and as it is the evening time (Sign)

May I specifically greet you: Tony Caughey and Donna Dentice, Chairman and Chief Executive respectively of the Enterprise New Zealand Trust; Phil Holden, Chief Executive of the Lion Foundation; Hon Nanaia Mahuta, Minister of Youth Affairs; MP Craig Foss; Business Leaders; Sponsors, Judges, Young Directors, Ladies and Gentlemen.

As Patron of the Enterprise New Zealand, thank you for inviting my wife Susan and me to attend to the presentation of the Lion Foundation Young Enterprise Scheme Awards for 2007. 

I would like to briefly speak to you about the nature of enterprise and its importance to New Zealand economy. The concept of "enterprise" has at its heart several key characteristics.  It requires setting ambitious goals and establishing a plan to achieve them.  With that in place—in other words, with the challenge set—it necessitates the energy, ideas, intelligence, determination, and most importantly of all, the creativity, to make it all happen.

Taking on difficult challenges requires taking risks.  Young people are often castigated in the media and popular culture for taking risk-taking behaviour.  But what your successes here tonight show, are that within reason, taking risks is not inherently negative and can instead be the spark of creative endeavour.

An example is that of Sam Morgan of Trade Me fame.  Legend has it that what started as an attempt by a young man to find a second-hand heater to warm a draughty flat turned into a business that was sold for a sizable sum.  As well as providing employment directly for some 50 people, Trade Me is a platform where many others operate their businesses, selling everything from houses to cars and, you guessed it, second-hand electric heaters.  Other businesses such as postal and courier companies have also been beneficiaries as they deliver many of the goods bought and sold on the website.

Behind Sam Morgan's success, however, are many years of unglamorous hard graft.  There were ideas that worked and there were ideas that had to be shelved.  He took risks and he convinced key investors that what he and his team had created was worth the gamble.

I believe that New Zealanders are inherently creative people.  The reasons for that were put well by well known New Zealand writer Helen Brown, who said:

"From an outsiders perspective, New Zealand seems to be poised on a creative vortex, where ordinary people are quietly inspired to produce things of unique style and beauty.  I'm not sure why it happens.  Maybe it's to do with the clarity of vision that springs from isolation; a small population and plenty of space enabling people to have a crack at anything; the proximity of the seas and exquisite landscapes; the influence of Polynesian culture. And I guess a teaspoon of self-criticism comes in handy."

That enterprising spirit is at the heart of the New Zealand economy. According to Statistics New Zealand, excluding farming businesses, there are more than 346,000 businesses in New Zealand, employing more than 1.7 million people.  Looked at another way, Statistics New Zealand's Annual Enterprise Survey, which uses a much wider definition, estimated that in the 2006 financial year, New Zealand's businesses generated $492 billion in income, in turning spending $445 billion, mostly on buying goods and on wages and salaries.

Many New Zealand businesses are also family businesses or businesses with strong family connections.  To that end, I would like to acknowledge the families, friends and mentors of our young entrepreneurs.  The awards the successful entrepreneurs receive tonight also reflect the support you have given them. I would also like to thank Enterprise New Zealand Trust and the award sponsors for backing them.

In conclusion, I will close with the words of the New Zealand racing driver, the late Bruce McLaren whose name lives on in the McLaren Formula I racing team today, who urged everyone to make the most of their talents in the following words:

"It would be a waste of life to do nothing with one's ability for I feel that life is measured in achievement, not in years alone."

On that inspirational note, I will close in Maori by 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.