Wuhan University Visit, China

Tuesday 15 June 2004

Thank you for your time and attention today. It has been a highly instructive visit that has given us a valuable insight into the scale and depth of the education available at Wuhan University. It has also reinforced my belief that, in the global supermarket of education options, there is a place for education "shops" of all sizes.

Christchurch and New Zealand are very much the boutique variety of education providers. Our focus has to be on providing quality education and a quality experience. I believe we have established our reputation for quality education and are now making significant steps toward further improving the quality of experience.

Many of you will be aware that education links are a key part of the strategic partnership between Christchurch and Wuhan.

Some of you may have been involved with the 23 young Wuhan officials who studied at Canterbury University, in Christchurch, for five months recently. During that time they also had one month of internship, working with a number of organisations in Christchurch. I am told that they also got a much greater understanding of Christchurch through this internship opportunity.

The Wuhan officials also gained the impression that there is strong interest in building on the ties they established. They have reported correctly that, as a small nation, New Zealand is absolutely impelled to trade actively in the international marketplace.

As the centre of economic and political power shifts to our part of the world, I believe we are also under a moral obligation to build more active ties of friendship and trade amongst ourselves. We face a future where the changing pace of technology means that no nation can enjoy the sort of certainty that, in China not so long ago, was referred to as the "iron rice bowl".

The jobs for life our nations once accepted as certain, are no longer possible as technology changes working life with increasing speed. The best gift we can give our young is the mental strength and agility to adapt, and then be prepared to adapt again.

It is interesting to note that the nations, regions and people that are doing well in meeting the challenges of this swiftly changing future are those that realise the best tools for future prosperity are those that rest between the ears. In other words, education.

It is no accident that a country like Ireland, once known as the poor man of Europe, is now one of the richest and most

dynamic. That's because they looked towards the future and decided that the best way to get there successfully was by putting all their economic and social energy into education. They did so and prospered. I believe a similar result awaits any nation, region or city brave enough to make the same choice.

The size difference between Wuhan and Christchurch is massive. It is the difference between an elephant and flea. You have 35 tertiary institutions with almost 300,000 students. We have five tertiary institutions with about 26,000 students. Fortunately for us we are a very clever flea with plans to become even more clever.

I have been talking during this trip about the "Prosperous Christchurch" plan our city has developed recently. We have looked at how we can improve not only our financial wealth but also the wealth we enjoy in our beautiful natural setting and way of life. For example, Christchurch is the New Zealand centre for knowledge industry workers in areas like electronics and computers, because of the lifestyle we offer.

Our way of life is a crucial part of attracting and retaining skilled knowledge workers. We have been looking at how we will enhance this. We have identified certain key areas that are crucial to our future prosperity. Education is a central part of this plan.

Some of you may have seen the tourism marketing from New Zealand that sells the country as "100 per cent pure”. I have been saying that Christchurch needs to sell itself as "100 per cent smart''. I want Christchurch to become a world centre for educational excellence. For those that live and work in Christchurch, and those who come to stay for a while.

I believe Wuhan has a major role to play in helping us move toward that goal.