Speech to Aviation Industry Association
As you know, I took up the role of Associate Minister of Transport about three months ago. I can tell you that I am really enjoying the role. There is a lot going on in the transport sector and I am finding it very exciting.
I would like to say at the outset that this industry is important to New Zealand across a range of fronts - the business, corporate and tourism sectors and primary industries - as well as its vital role in emergency rescue.
Tonight we are here to recognise the ongoing relationship between the Aviation Industry Association and the Government, as you enter your 60th year of operation.
It is also fitting that some awards will be presented this evening to recognise achievements in the aviation sector, particularly in relation to safety.
It is clear that the current global recession has had a big impact on the airline industry.
Among other things, our local industry is seeing a decline in the number of domestic and international passengers, meaning we really need to work hard to promote New Zealand - to overcome our remoteness and get more people visiting our country.
With this in mind, I'm pleased to see a host of new international services commencing from Hamilton, Rotorua, Queenstown and Dunedin that will attract more international tourists to our regions.
Times are tough, but this is more reason to ensure New Zealand's aviation industry maintains the high safety standard that the travelling public has come to expect and demand. It's very important we don't lose sight of this important and overarching objective.
As you will be aware, the government wants to avoid imposing unnecessary costs on the transport sector. I know my colleague, the Minister of Transport, Hon Steven Joyce talked about this at your conference in July. We will continue to focus on getting the best value for money without compromising the quality of safety outcomes for the travelling public.
The CAA's Funding review is progressing, but there is further work to do before consultation can be undertaken. The CAA is working closely with the Ministry of Transport to ensure that a robust process is followed.
I recently met with your Chief Executive Irene King and she briefed me on the Association's top five aviation issues.
I think it's great New Zealand has a dedicated industry body such as the Aviation Industry Association to take issues, ideas, and discussions to the government on the sector's behalf.
I also believe it's important the Association has strong relationships with the CAA, the Ministry of Transport and other government agencies. I really encourage the association to continue to work closely with these departments on the key issues in this sector.
As a Minister it's always useful to receive advice where public sector and private sector have already discussed and tested their views with one another.
Together we can work constructively to achieve sound transport solutions for New Zealanders.
It is now my pleasure to present a very special award to Norm Taylor for his outstanding contribution to New Zealand's aviation engineering industry. I'd like to ask Norm to come up to receive this award.
Norm is a long standing and highly regarded aviation engineer. For those of you who don't know Norm, he retired as Manager of Technical Services with Air New Zealand and built up NTECH.
This company became one of the preferred providers of technical engineering services to the general aviation industry - doing modifications to all manner of aircraft.
The company was subsequently sold to Fieldair Engineering and now forms an integral product of that company's offering.
Norm was a major proponent of the Swedavia McGregor Report published in 1988 that reviewed New Zealand's aviation safety regulatory framework, and worked extensively through his contacts in the Royal Aeronautical Society to bring about change in the recognition of responsibilities within Engineering.
He was also instrumental in lobbying government to commence the bilateral engineering recognition process with the United States, a process which has been ongoing for some 10 years now and is beneficial to New Zealand's aviation exporting industries.
Norm has retired from aviation engineering and this is a fitting occasion to acknowledge his outstanding contribution to the aviation engineering industry.
Finally, I want to express my appreciation to the Aviation Industry Association for its contribution to the aviation sector and to congratulate you on 60 years of operation.
I look forward to working with your industry and furthering the relationship between the Government and your association.