Agriculture key to NZ’s future, says PM Luxon
There is nothing more important to New Zealand than agriculture, says Prime Minister Christopher Luxon.
Diplomats from Ireland, the UK and Japan joined an array of senior government officials, parliamentarians and former trade representatives to honour the outstanding contribution of Bailey to the dairy sector and the country as a whole. Also present was the new chair of DCANZ, Matt Bolger, who managed to have a special chat to Ireland’s Ambassador, Peter Ryan, who leaves NZ this week to take up the post of Ambassador to Nigeria. The Bolgers have strong Irish connections.
The guests included Mike Petersen, Tim Groser, Ministry for Primary Industries chief executive Ray Smith, trade negotiator Vangelis Vitalis, DairyNZ chair Jim van der Poel and DairyNZ chief executive Tim Mackle. Also present were National MPs Todd McClay and Barbara Kuriger, Sirma Karapeeva from MIA, Beef+Lamb CEO Sam McIvor along with representatives of the various dairy companies that make up DCANZ.
In paying tribute to her now former boss, DCANZ chief executive Kimberly Crewther said Bailey was very passionate about the importance of free trade and forthright in his opinions.
“In 2000 he was quoted as saying trade protectionism is nuts. Twenty years on he described trade protectionism as just plain stupid and no one was left in any doubt about what Malcolm thought,” she said.
Crewther quoted a top trade official who said, “Malcolm combined all the best qualities that were traditionally expected from this sector, particularly in these challenging times. His determined roll up the sleeves and get the shit done, combined with the real strategic vision and long term thinking”.
She said, crucially, Bailey understood the role that trade plays in NZ’s prosperity by ensuring we can continue to deliver high quality primary exports to the world in spite of all the international barriers, direct and indirect, thrown in our path.
“Along with his vision he had the skill to speak plain language and communicate clearly, whether that be [to] Prime Ministers, officials and others in the sector.”
