New measures to deter people smugglers announced
Measures are being introduced to deter a mass arrival of potentially illegal migrants into New Zealand, Immigration Minister Nathan Guy has announced today.
My trip overseas
Parliament is back in action this week after a busy three-week recess.
I was honoured and privileged to represent New Zealand at the Anzac Day commemorations in Gallipoli, Turkey last week as the Minister of Veterans’ Affairs.
It was a truly moving and emotional experience, stepping foot in a place where so many New Zealanders fought and died for our country.
I gave three speeches and attended a number of different international services. I was proud to see the large crowds there – around 6,000 people, mostly young Australians and New Zealanders.
It was also great to catch up with Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard and getting to know many of the local Turkish officials and politicians. They do a wonderful job hosting these memorial services every year, and treating this sacred land with the respect and care it deserves.
I also spent a few days in China in my role as Minister of Immigration. China is the world’s most populous country with 1.3 billion people, and soon they may be the world’s largest economy.
The scale of things happening in China was mindblowing, with huge motorways, new airports and buildings springing up everywhere.
There is no doubt that China will have a big impact on the 21st century and that this offers a huge range of opportunities to New Zealand. Ties between the two nations are growing at all levels, everything from rugby exchanges to increased direct passenger flights and growing tourist numbers to New Zealand.
As China continues to modernise we can expect to have more demand for our products and services such as food, wine and tourism.
A good example of this is attracting international students to study in New Zealand. The Government has an ambitious goal of doubling the economic value of New Zealand's international education sector to $5 billion over the next 15 years. China will play a big part in this, as around one in four international students to New Zealand come from China.
New Zealand was the first western country to sign a Free Trade Agreement with China in 2008 which has seen trade grow strongly for the benefit of both nations. In fact, China is now our second largest trading partner.
Prime Minister John Key also made a state visit to Indonesia recently, which is another fast-growing country with a population of nearly 240 million people.
For New Zealand to grow and prosper in the coming decades, it will be very important that we are well connected to these fast-growing economies.
New Zealand commemorates Anzac losses in Turkey
Veterans’ Affairs Minister Nathan Guy will represent New Zealand at the 97th anniversary of the Gallipoli campaign in Turkey tomorrow.
“This is a time to remember those thousands of New Zealanders who stepped ashore on Gallipoli 97 years ago and who never returned.
“8556 New Zealanders landed at Anzac Cove. Nearly a third - 2721 – were killed, with thousands more injured.”
Mr Guy says between 5000 and 7000 people, including many young New Zealanders, are expected to attend the commemorations.
“Anzac Day commemorates loss but also celebrates our ties of friendship with Turkey, which lost 87,000 men during the Gallipoli campaign – double the number of allied forces.
“We are especially grateful to the Turkish authorities for the significant effort and resources they dedicate to ensuring the Gallipoli heritage park is preserved and well cared for, and that ANZAC commemorations run smoothly and safely.”
Mr Guy has formally met the Governor of Canakkale Province, Mr Gungor Azim Tuna today and thanked him on behalf of the New Zealand Government for the Turkish Government’s significant contribution.
Mr Guy will speak at the Turkish International Service and attend the Turkish 57th Regiment Memorial Service on April 24th. On April 25th he will address the Dawn Service at the Anzac Commemorative Site, the New Zealand Memorial Service at Chunuk Bair, and attend the Australian Memorial Service at Lone Pine.
The official New Zealand contingent at Gallipoli includes the Vice Chief of Defence Force, Rear Admiral Jack Steer, Don McIver, President of the RSA, representatives from Veterans' Affairs and the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) personnel including an Army chaplain, catafalque guard, and members of the NZ Army Band.
“Anzac Day is a time to remember not just Gallipoli, but all those veterans who have served New Zealand in the name of peace and freedom.
“We are eternally grateful to these men and women, and we owe it to them to honour their commitment not only today, but in the future. Lest we forget.”
Turkish national honoured for Anzac contribution
Minister of Veterans’ Affairs Nathan Guy has invested Turkish citizen Mr Ali Partal as an Honorary Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit, in recognition of his work supporting Anzac Day commemorations at Gallipoli.
“This is the first time a Turkish national has ever received a Royal New Zealand Award and is well deserved.”
The award was presented at a ceremony in Canakkale, Turkey this morning (New Zealand time).
Mr Ali Partal is the former Deputy Governor of the Çanakkale province which includes Gallipoli. The award is due to the outstanding assistance he provided to New Zealand around the Anzac Day commemorations from 2005 to 2011.
“Mr Partal has been invaluable in ensuring the success and safety of the annual Anzac Day commemorations, and in supporting numerous visits by New Zealand dignitaries and the thousands of New Zealand and Australian nationals.”
The New Zealand Order of Merit is awarded to those who have rendered meritorious service to the Crown and New Zealand, or who have become distinguished by their eminence, talents, contributions or other merits.
“I’ve heard only the highest praise for Mr Partal’s efforts from both locals and New Zealand officials. His efforts have helped to make the Anzac Day services safe, dignified and reflective of the strong and close relationship between our two countries.
“The dedication and efforts of people like Mr Partal, and many others from New Zealand, Turkey and Australia are critical to our annual Anzac Day commemorations at Gallipoli.
“The close bond between our countries will continue to be especially important as we look forward to the centenary celebrations of Gallipoli in 2015.”
ANZAC Day in Gallipoli
By the time you read this column it will be ANZAC Day and I’ll be representing New Zealand in Gallipoli as the Minister of Veterans’ Affairs.
It’s a huge honour to make this trip to Turkey and pay tribute to our countrymen who gave their lives in this campaign nearly 100 years ago.
Earlier this week I was shown around the various battle sites on the Canakkale Peninsula. It was an extremely moving experience. The conditions soldiers found when they landed, in darkness, were very challenging. Steep hills with little cover had to be navigated under fire and many casualties resulted.
While I am here I'm giving three speeches - to the Dawn Service at the Anzac commemorative site, the New Zealand service at Chunuk Bair and an international service at Cape Helles.
I’m looking forward to catching up with Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard and other dignitaries. Also attending will be Wanganui Collegiate student Jonathan Brumley who won a recent RSA nationwide speech competition that I officiated at.
It’s the first time in many years that I haven’t been able to attend local services around Kapiti and Horowhenua, which I'm sure will be well attended as usual this year.
New Zealand’s relations with Turkey are very different now to what they were in 1914 and Gallipoli is now a sacred spot for the Turks as well.
Turkish President Mustafa Kemal Ataturk famously said in 1934:
“You, the mothers who sent their sons from far away countries: wipe away your tears, your sons are now lying in our bosoms and are in peace. After having lost their lives on this land they become our sons as well.”
Gallipoli is widely regarded as a major milestone in New Zealand’s history. The day of landing is now enshrined in NZ life as Anzac Day and a strong bond has evolved between ourselves, Australia and Turkey.
The human cost of World War I on New Zealand was enormous. Our population at the time was less than one million, yet an expeditionary force of 100,000 was provided. Of those, 58,000 were killed or injured.
This equates to one in every three New Zealand men aged between 20 and 40. The evidence of this loss can be seen at memorials in every small town throughout the country.
ANZAC Day is also a time to remember our service men and women who have served in wars and conflicts since then, and today.
Lest we forget.