Komatsu Earthmoving Premises Opening

Monday 23 July 2007

Good Afternoon. I am delighted to have the opportunity to speak to you today at the official opening of Komatsu NZ's new Christchurch branch. I understand you have been up and running for a few months.

As a certified petrol head and son of a mechanic this is the sort of place that looks like heaven to me.

Diggers and dozers and cranes provide the grunt for our construction and mining industries. If Komatsu is expanding then it's a sign that other parts of the economy are growing as well.

Komatsu's management policy promotes the need to provide environmentally friendly and innovative products to its customers. This fits well with this city, which aims for sustainability of its resources.

Christchurch is the hub in New Zealand for high-tech industries. In fact we have about 50 per cent more people working in advanced electronics and software than you would find anywhere else in New Zealand. So we enjoy both the old agriculture based economy and the new economy. When you add service industries like Komatsu, we are a booming city.

Christchurch and Canterbury are unusual parts of New Zealand in that we are primarily traders on the global markets. We are outward facing to an extent that few other areas in New Zealand come close to matching. We are the first in and out of economic changes that reflect the greater global economy.

This is born out in the latest trade figures that show Canterbury has continued to experience growth above the average for New Zealand. Our housing and export sectors have grown very strongly despite the high New Zealand dollar.

My best wishes to everyone for a great future in the city. It gives me pleasure to declare this building officially open.

ENDS