Jim Anderton Speech: New Zealand Trade and Enterprise Bill – second reading
Mr Speaker, I move that the Industry New Zealand/ Trade New Zealand Integration Bill be now read a second time.
When passed this Bill will create a one stop shop for economic development and trade promotion.
We are creating this new organisation to integrate the services currently provided by Trade New Zealand and Industry New
Zealand with the aim of making those services as seamless and responsive as possible.
This Coalition government decided early on that it had a smart and active role to play in the economy. The work done by
Industry New Zealand and and the Ministry of Economic Development in our regions, the partnerships started with
business, communities and local government, with unions, industries, Maori and Pacific peoples are starting to make a
real difference.
This new agency establishes a new economic development entity, bringing together Trade New Zealand and Industry New
Zealand.
This legislation will bring together and build on Trade New Zealand’s experience both internationally and in New Zealand
export sectors, as well as Industry New Zealand’s experience in working with investors, business and the regions.
This bill is evidence of a Government that listens to business.
In my many regional development visits up and down New Zealand I have met hundreds of businesses and business people who
wanted to know why there wasn’t a one stop shop for business advice.
They wanted to see the advice and support which they needed for their growth and development, for increased investment
and for export opportunities all integrated into one service.
The Wellington Chamber of Commerce and other business organisations also called for a one stop shop.
During the election the Progressive Party committed to this one organisation approach during this term of office.
I am pleased to announce that the New Zealand Trade and Enterprise entity outlined in this Bill delivers on this
commitment.
The purpose of New Zealand Trade and Enterprise will be to support the development of internationally competitive New
Zealand business.
This role has been very carefully chosen.
Recent consultation with business groups on the aims and objectives of New Zealand Trade and Enterprise has shown wide
ranging support. This provides a strong platform for the partnerships needed to stimulate business innovation and
enterprise.
Every New Zealand business needs to strive to be internationally competitive regardless of whether it has a domestic
focus or it is already trading internationally. We clearly need to raise business performance across the whole economy.
Various submissions raised issues at the select committee and these have been given careful consideration.
I hope we will receive New Zealand First support for this bill. In the last term of Government the member for Tauranga
spoke in favour of the first bill to create Industry New Zealand, noting that prosperity is dependent upon high
sustainable economic growth, and it is dependent upon a sound, wise partnership, which is seen in every other
First-World economy.
Trade and Enterprise New Zealand will support the Government’s commitment to developing our economy through innovation
and working with key industries which can drive economic growth.
This organisation will deal with businesses across a wide range of areas.
These will include direct development needs of individual businesses and clusters of businesses, industry sectors as
well as barriers to growth, by developing individual sectoral and regional strategies, and through initiatives which
improve the business and enterprise culture in New Zealand.
The decision to merge Trade New Zealand and Industry New Zealand will send a strong message to business.
The message is we want you to succeed.
We want you to do better so that New Zealand can do better.
We want to see more innovation, stronger businesses and stronger regions all leading to long term sustainable, high
quality jobs.
Mr Speaker, New Zealanders will expect nothing less of this House.