Search

It is an honour to be here today, sharing the stage with some of our country’s leading thinkers and experts on climate change and indigenous forest.

I am grateful to Economic Development New Zealand for inviting me here today to talk about the importance of regions and my vision for this space.

Thank you to the Go with Tourism team for welcoming me to their office today.

Increasing New Zealand’ onshore wood processing capability and investing in developing our domestic woody biomass industry are two target areas that will drive sector growth, create jobs, and reduce emissions across the economy.

I want to start by thanking Lisa and Steve from Business Events Industry Aotearoa and everyone that has been involved in organising and hosting this event.

As Minister for Economic and Regional Development it is my pleasure to support the release of the Draft Advanced Manufacturing Industry Transformation Plan for public consultation.

It is my pleasure to be here at TRENZ 2022, as I know that the conversations that happen here will play a crucial role in shaping New Zealand’s tourism recovery.

It is my great pleasure to be online today at the fourth University of Otago Tourism Policy School event.

Thank you for being here tonight as I outline the government’s planning to improve New Zealand’s immigration system so it works for New Zealand.

The TRENZ Hui 2021 themes: Revive – Reconnect – Revitalise align with a lot of the aims the Government has for the tourism sector. But there are another couple of ‘r’s that I will soon speak to you about today – Recovery and Re-set.

The status quo cannot, will not be the model of the direction of tourism. That much is clear. It is unsustainable, it lacks resilience, and we won’t go back to how it was. The world has been changed by COVID-19, and so we must change with it.

Thank you for the relationship with Government, the willingness to share your perspectives, and the hugely valuable contribution the business community makes to New Zealand’s economic well-being.

Thank you Tourism Industry Aotearoa for hosting today’s Summit.