Speech at ASB Showgrounds Thank You Dinner

Good evening, tena koutou katoa.

I am very pleased to be here this evening on my first official engagement since becoming the Minister of Internal Affairs.

I was honoured to be appointed as a member of the Executive in Prime Minister John Key's Government and I am looking forward to working with the team to achieve our goals of growing the economy and creating prosperity, security and opportunities for all New Zealanders.

Now, moving on to the special event that brings us all together this evening.  We are here to celebrate the completion of a fantastic new exhibition centre here at the ASB Showgrounds.

It is great to see what has been achieved from the contributions provided by the Auckland City Council, the ASB Bank, the ASB Charitable Trust, the Cornwall Park Trust Board and the Crown's Significant Community Based Projects Fund - which is administered by the Department of Internal Affairs.

I'd like to give you a quick snapshot of the Significant Community Based Project Fund.  This fund was set up in 2005 to support major community-based projects that could not gain sufficient funding from existing sources to complete their capital works.

A total of $32 million has been distributed to projects of regional or national significance throughout New Zealand, covering areas such as the arts, culture and heritage, sport and recreation, economic development, tourism and conservation, and the environment.  The Fund has now run its course and all the funding has been allocated.

As part of this funding, $4.7 million was granted in 2006 to help upgrade the Showgrounds and enhance its capacity to attract high profile events, and host large national and international exhibitions and trade shows.  

The calendar for the next year shows a wide variety of happenings ranging from dance parties, expos and fairs to shows devoted to food, craft and speed - and that's just some of what goes on here!

I am particularly pleased that this fund has been able to contribute to the ongoing success of an Auckland icon, a place that many Aucklanders will remember from their childhoods for its Easter Shows. In fact, the Auckland Showgrounds has been hosting shows for Aucklanders for 166 years - and on this site since 1911.

The ASB Showgrounds will bring social and economic benefits to New Zealand as a whole through providing a world-class exhibition space and events facility.  

We need this fantastic venue for the crowds that we anticipate will be arriving in their droves for the 2011 Rugby World Cup, and for the major shows, conferences and concerts that would not otherwise reach our shores.

It has been estimated that the Showgrounds should generate about $110 million for the Auckland economy in 2010, so it is a great investment.

Congratulations to all who have been involved in this project.
Thank you.