First day out of isolation and spent it outside with the family, getting a haircut and running some errands. Somehow though I’m still finishing the evening in the same hoodie I’ve been wearing for days 😳 For anyone who has COVID or is in isolation with someone who does, I hope you’re taking care of yourselves!
A while ago I was asked whether I would give the commencement speech at Harvard University. It was an incredibly humbling invitation, and an amazing opportunity to talk about some of the things that make our corner of the world special – but also our challenges. I spent quite a long time thinking about and (eventually) writing this one, because I wanted to capture a few things that have been on my mind. Things like democracy, disinformation, and kindness. If you have a moment to spare, I’d love to share it with you. PS swipe to see the largest number of collapsible chairs I’ve ever seen at one event. 32,000 of them! https://www.beehive.govt.nz/speech/harvard-commencement-speech-democracy-disinformation-and-kindness
A while ago I was asked whether I would give the commencement speech at Harvard University. It was an incredibly humbling invitation, and an amazing opportunity to talk about some of the things that make our corner of the world special – but also our challenges. I spent quite a long time thinking about and (eventually) writing this one, because I wanted to capture a few things that have been on my mind. Things like democracy, disinformation, and kindness. If you have a moment to spare, I’d love to share it with you. PS swipe to see the largest number of collapsible chairs I’ve ever seen at one event. 32,000 of them! https://www.beehive.govt.nz/speech/harvard-commencement-speech-democracy-disinformation-and-kindness
Fantastic to speak with the new Prime Minister Elect of Australia, Anthony Albanese. We had the chance to speak briefly in the early hours of the morning, right before he acknowledged his supporters. Today it was a chance to talk about pressing international events and upcoming meetings, and our own plans to meet. We had a strong working relationship with the outgoing Prime Minister, Scott Morrison, and last night I thanked him sincerely for that. I know that strong relationship will continue with @albomp and I’m looking forward to catching up face to face soon!
Quick stop in San Francisco for meetings including with Gavin Newsom, the Governor of California, where we signed a Memorandum of Cooperation. It covers areas like zero emission vehicles, energy storage and smart grids….and it was signed at the San Francisco Botanical Garden where there is a beautiful New Zealand section! A really excellent meeting with the added benefit of being outside a meeting room 😊
4am start in New York as we headed to Washington for meetings with Senators and Representatives from across both parties. We discussed everything from trade issues to the war in Ukraine, gun reform, the pacific region, who has visited New Zealand and who would like to! After six sit down meetings, I’m off to do a media stand up and jump on another flight!
4am start in New York as we headed to Washington for meetings with Senators and Representatives from across both parties. We discussed everything from trade issues to the war in Ukraine, gun reform, the pacific region, who has visited New Zealand and who would like to! After six sit down meetings, I’m off to do a media stand up and jump on another flight!
4am start in New York as we headed to Washington for meetings with Senators and Representatives from across both parties. We discussed everything from trade issues to the war in Ukraine, gun reform, the pacific region, who has visited New Zealand and who would like to! After six sit down meetings, I’m off to do a media stand up and jump on another flight!
4am start in New York as we headed to Washington for meetings with Senators and Representatives from across both parties. We discussed everything from trade issues to the war in Ukraine, gun reform, the pacific region, who has visited New Zealand and who would like to! After six sit down meetings, I’m off to do a media stand up and jump on another flight!
4am start in New York as we headed to Washington for meetings with Senators and Representatives from across both parties. We discussed everything from trade issues to the war in Ukraine, gun reform, the pacific region, who has visited New Zealand and who would like to! After six sit down meetings, I’m off to do a media stand up and jump on another flight!
4am start in New York as we headed to Washington for meetings with Senators and Representatives from across both parties. We discussed everything from trade issues to the war in Ukraine, gun reform, the pacific region, who has visited New Zealand and who would like to! After six sit down meetings, I’m off to do a media stand up and jump on another flight!
4am start in New York as we headed to Washington for meetings with Senators and Representatives from across both parties. We discussed everything from trade issues to the war in Ukraine, gun reform, the pacific region, who has visited New Zealand and who would like to! After six sit down meetings, I’m off to do a media stand up and jump on another flight!
A busy first day in the States. We started with a meeting with tourism editors and writers to promote the opening of our borders, then off to a meeting with the American Chamber of Commerce hosted by Black Rock with our business and trade delegates from NZ. I then peeled off to meet the Secretary General of the United Nations and discuss topics like the war in Ukraine and Climate Change. We then had a promotional event for silver fern farm and their carbon zero beef product before heading to the late show to see Stephen Colbert (who covered many topics, including the horrific shooting today in the states at a children’s school. It was hard to find words….)
It’s almost 11pm and it’s a 430am start as we head to Washington tomorrow . I’ll post again soon!
A busy first day in the States. We started with a meeting with tourism editors and writers to promote the opening of our borders, then off to a meeting with the American Chamber of Commerce hosted by Black Rock with our business and trade delegates from NZ. I then peeled off to meet the Secretary General of the United Nations and discuss topics like the war in Ukraine and Climate Change. We then had a promotional event for silver fern farm and their carbon zero beef product before heading to the late show to see Stephen Colbert (who covered many topics, including the horrific shooting today in the states at a children’s school. It was hard to find words….)
It’s almost 11pm and it’s a 430am start as we head to Washington tomorrow . I’ll post again soon!
A busy first day in the States. We started with a meeting with tourism editors and writers to promote the opening of our borders, then off to a meeting with the American Chamber of Commerce hosted by Black Rock with our business and trade delegates from NZ. I then peeled off to meet the Secretary General of the United Nations and discuss topics like the war in Ukraine and Climate Change. We then had a promotional event for silver fern farm and their carbon zero beef product before heading to the late show to see Stephen Colbert (who covered many topics, including the horrific shooting today in the states at a children’s school. It was hard to find words….)
It’s almost 11pm and it’s a 430am start as we head to Washington tomorrow . I’ll post again soon!
A busy first day in the States. We started with a meeting with tourism editors and writers to promote the opening of our borders, then off to a meeting with the American Chamber of Commerce hosted by Black Rock with our business and trade delegates from NZ. I then peeled off to meet the Secretary General of the United Nations and discuss topics like the war in Ukraine and Climate Change. We then had a promotional event for silver fern farm and their carbon zero beef product before heading to the late show to see Stephen Colbert (who covered many topics, including the horrific shooting today in the states at a children’s school. It was hard to find words….)
It’s almost 11pm and it’s a 430am start as we head to Washington tomorrow . I’ll post again soon!
Just finished up meetings with Twitter, Amazon and Microsoft where we discussed progress on the Christchurch Call to Action, and the work we have left to do. Also a really good chance to talk about the significant investment being made in NZ by the likes of Microsoft and Amazon, and the skills we need to meet new demand (Amazon alone have a goal of 100,000 kiwis having access to skills training for the jobs of the future.) Also had an excellent event in Seattle with folks across the tourism, trade and business sectors. Now off to Washington to meet with the President and then head home!
Join me for a quick pre budget catch up with the Minister of Finance (including a few of our pre budget traditions, but virtually this time!)
Back at the podium! Busy day in Wellington finishing with a post cabinet press conference where we announced an additional 30 NZDF staff will be travel to Europe as part of the wider efforts to support Ukraine. This time NZDF staff will be based in the UK supporting training efforts. Just about to jump onto a virtual Indo Pacific Economic Framework event, and then straight onto a plane to the US to join our business and trade delegation for a busy week of meetings. I’ll try and share more details from the road!
There’s a lot of really important things happening this week that I’m sad to be missing – and the release of our Emissions Reduction Plan is one of them. It’s a huge deal. With this plan, we’re on track to meet our carbon budgets, and do our part to limit the scale and impact of climate change. But more than that, it means preparing for the future and all the opportunities that an economy on a more sustainable footing can bring. We can do this, but it means investing now! PS Day three of COVID and I’m doing ok thanks. Heads a bit sore but nothing a bit of rest won’t fix
There’s a lot of really important things happening this week that I’m sad to be missing – and the release of our Emissions Reduction Plan is one of them. It’s a huge deal. With this plan, we’re on track to meet our carbon budgets, and do our part to limit the scale and impact of climate change. But more than that, it means preparing for the future and all the opportunities that an economy on a more sustainable footing can bring. We can do this, but it means investing now! PS Day three of COVID and I’m doing ok thanks. Heads a bit sore but nothing a bit of rest won’t fix
There’s a lot of really important things happening this week that I’m sad to be missing – and the release of our Emissions Reduction Plan is one of them. It’s a huge deal. With this plan, we’re on track to meet our carbon budgets, and do our part to limit the scale and impact of climate change. But more than that, it means preparing for the future and all the opportunities that an economy on a more sustainable footing can bring. We can do this, but it means investing now! PS Day three of COVID and I’m doing ok thanks. Heads a bit sore but nothing a bit of rest won’t fix
There’s a lot of really important things happening this week that I’m sad to be missing – and the release of our Emissions Reduction Plan is one of them. It’s a huge deal. With this plan, we’re on track to meet our carbon budgets, and do our part to limit the scale and impact of climate change. But more than that, it means preparing for the future and all the opportunities that an economy on a more sustainable footing can bring. We can do this, but it means investing now! PS Day three of COVID and I’m doing ok thanks. Heads a bit sore but nothing a bit of rest won’t fix
There’s a lot of really important things happening this week that I’m sad to be missing – and the release of our Emissions Reduction Plan is one of them. It’s a huge deal. With this plan, we’re on track to meet our carbon budgets, and do our part to limit the scale and impact of climate change. But more than that, it means preparing for the future and all the opportunities that an economy on a more sustainable footing can bring. We can do this, but it means investing now! PS Day three of COVID and I’m doing ok thanks. Heads a bit sore but nothing a bit of rest won’t fix
