14 October 2004

Textiles industry moving ahead: Dyers and Colourists speech

Jim Anderton spoke at the annual Society of Dyers and Coloursits, Australia and New Zealand, Conference this morning in Christchurch.

"I’m delighted to be here because these are exciting times in the textiles industry.

"It’s a time of change for the industry, a time when the difference your industry can make can help to secure its future. It’s a time of surging innovation in fibres, yarns and fabrics, and a time a time of new processes, colouration and finishing.

"It’s a time of growing exports. In 1998, we exported $208 million of TCFC production. In 2001 that had more than doubled to $439 million and it’s continuing to grow.

…..

"We have learned now that the best way to provide opportunities and jobs for New Zealanders is to build our industries around the unique skills and creativity of New Zealanders. Our unique talents cannot be copied anywhere else. It is out creativity, our talent, our innovation that commands a price premium. We need to apply our creativity in science and technology, in business, in industry.

…

"We live in a moment of immense opportunity. We can push on to a future where every region of New Zealand is thriving. We can achieve a vision where every young person has a vibrant future in their own home towns if they choose to.

"A vision where every family can enjoy a standard of living and quality of life better than anywhere in the world. We can achieve a vision where every part of New Zealand is strong, resilient and growing quickly.

"This is the vision I have. Your industry is a part of that vision. It has as future built on its technology and its science, its innovation and its creativity.

"We hold the promise of tomorrow in our hands. It is up to us all to be ambitious for New Zealand.

ENDS

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