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Kia ora and good evening And can I particularly acknowledge both Rev
Nove and Rev Popo Su'a and apologise that I can't be there in person tonight. Because
it's such a wonderful celebration that you are all having and actually it's a celebration
for all of us. First of all, I want to congratulate the Pacific
Island churches who saw the importance of partnering with us in Government to ensure
that we got as many young Pasifika people into the trades opportunities that are available
to them. And who throughout this process have offered that really critical pastoral care
to support these young people to be successful. Secondly, I want to congratulate all the 2012
Pasifika scholarship holders and to know that you've had a great year and that you are going
to go on to a very rewarding career in trades. You will not only be contributing to your
own wellbeing but also to your aiga, to your whanau, to your families, to your church communities
but also to the big rebuild in Christchurch – that's so important for the Christchurch people
but for a future pathway in other parts of NZ.
So, I want to congratulation you and thank you for sticking to your training and being
prepared to grow your skillsets this year and into the future.
I also want to congratulate and welcome those of you who are going to be on the 2013 intake.
You too have an exciting opportunity ahead of you and it's important that you take every
advantage of that. We already know it's working. We know that
about five out of the 2012 scholars have volunteered in Samoa for the clean-up after cyclone Evan.
They'll be having the opportunity to test their skills, to reconnect with aiga and relations
in Samoa and contribute to the really important rebuild that's going on there.
Our Government - we're really committed to seeing young people get the opportunity to
develop in the trades and as Minister of Pacific Island Affairs I'm really committed to seeing
young Pasifika –young Pasifika boys and girls – having the opportunity to grow their
skills base. This initiative, is part of the dedicated $6 million initiative by our Government,
in the first instance for the rebuild of Christchurch, but as I say, for the wider quality of life
that you will have as a result of having these qualifications.
So once again, I'm really sorry that I can't be there in person tonight. But I want to
congratulate the Pasifika churches, ministers, congregations that have supported this initiative,
my own ministry of Pacific Island Affairs and of course my colleague the Honourable
Steven Joyce who's minister in this area. As you know, our Prime Minister announced
just in the last week a further commitment to 14,000 new apprenticeships and you guys
– are leading the pack. So congratulations and have a wonderful 2013.