I will be travelling to New Zealand for the St. Patrick's Day festivities. I will visit Auckland, Wellington, Tauranga and Christchurch, and my visit will focus on developing links with Irish community groups. I will participate in traditional St. Patrick's Day events, including the St. Patrick's Day festival parade and banquet in Auckland. I will also attend the Wellington Irish Society dinner and Hutt Valley Irish Society supper.
New Zealand is a small economy but, like Ireland's, one of the most open economies in the world. There is great potential to enhance economic ties between Ireland and New Zealand. Total trade with New Zealand in 2004 was valued at approximately €83 million. The year 2004 witnessed a 34% increase on the 2003 figures for visitors from New Zealand to Ireland, and there will be a significant economic and tourism focus to many of the events I will attend. I will also be looking at developments in rural tourism, as New Zealand is regarded as one of the premier destinations in this regard, as well as touching on New Zealand strategies in support of their minority language.
I include my draft schedule for this visit for the Deputy's information.
2006 St. Patrick's Festival Visit — New Zealand
Minister's Draft Itinerary
Friday 10 March
10.50Éamon O Cuív TD, Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs and his wife Áine Uí Chuív and Party arrive Auckland International Airport
Met by Honorary Consul General, Rodney HC Walshe and Vice Consul Darragh Walshe along with representative of Distinguished Visitors Division of Internal Affairs, Ross McLeod or Frances Reynolds
11.30Depart airport for hotel
PMRest
Saturday 11 March
11.30Depart hotel for St. Patrick's Festival Parade meeting point
12.00Participate in St. Patrick's Festival Parade
12.30Parade concludes and Music Festival commences at Aotea Square
13.00Join Mayor of Auckland City, His Worship Dick Hubbard in the opening of the St. Patrick's Music Festival at Aotea Square, draw a prize for tickets to the U2 concert the following week.
14.30Return to hotel
19.00Depart hotel
19.15Attend the St. Patrick's Festival Banquet. The Prime Minister Rt. Hon Helen Clark, or her Deputy will be in attendance. Also in attendance will be His Worship Garry Moore, Mayor of Christchurch, and four of Auckland Region's mayors; His Worship Dick Hubbard, Mayor of Auckland City, His Worship, Bob Harvey, Mayor of Waitakere City, His Worship Sir Barry Curtis, Mayor of Manukau City and His Worship George Wood, Mayor of North Shore City along with Mike Lee, Chairman, Auckland Regional Council. Minister to respond to the Toast to St. Patrick proposed by the Prime Minister with a toast to "The Irish and the Friends of the Irish in New Zealand"
Midnight Conclusion of banquet, return to hotel
Sunday 12 March
09.30Depart hotel for Auckland Domestic Airport
10.45Domestic flight Tauranga
11.20Arrive Tauranga Airport and transported to Hotel
12.00Attend Irish Fair Day — details to be confirmed
15.00Transported to Hotel
17.30Mayoral Reception, His Worship Mayor Stuart Crosby
19.00Dinner at venue to be confirmed
22.00Return to hotel
Monday 13 March
09.00 Depart hotel for Tauranga Domestic Airport
10.15Domestic flight Wellington
11.30Arrive Wellington Airport, transported to hotel
12.30-14.00Transfer to the Maori Language Commission, Level 14, Investment Centre, Corner Featherston & Balance Streets, Wellington, for lunch meeting with the Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Haami Piripi to discuss preservation and development of languages
14.15Walk to next meetings
14.30Minister Ó Cuív meets with Minister Luamanuvao Winnie Laban, Minister of the Community and Voluntary Sector — to be confirmed. (separate meeting)
15.30Minister returns to hotel
18.00Dinner at location to be confirmed
19.45Transported to the Wellington Irish Society Clubrooms for function hosted by the Wellington Irish Society
20.00Irish Society Function
22.00Return to Hotel
Tuesday 14 March
09.15Transfer to Beehive from hotel
09.30Hon. Damien O'Connor, Minister of Tourism at the Beehive, 5th Floor (5.3) to discuss New Zealand's experiences in visitor access to rural land and to sea and lake shore
10.30Transfer from Beehive to Hotel
13.00Lunch at a venue to be confirmed
13.45Transfer to Beehive for presentation to Parliament
14.00Presentation of Minister to Parliament to be confirmed
14.30Beehive tour
15.00Return to hotel
15.45Transfer to Beehive for meeting with Minister of Conservation, Housing and Ethnic Affairs
16.00Meeting with the Honourable Mr. Chris Carter, Minister for Conservation, Housing and Ethnic Affairs, at the Beehive
18.00Return to hotel
18.30Dinner at hotel
19.15Transported to the Hutt Valley Irish Society for Supper
20.00Hutt Valley Irish Society Supper at the Hutt Valley Irish Society Clubrooms
22.00Return to Hotel
Wednesday 15 March
09.15Depart hotel for Wellington Domestic Airport
10.20Domestic flight to Christchurch
11.15Arrive Christchurch Airport, transported to Hotel
17.00Transported to the Christchurch Irish Society for function attended by Mayor of Christchurch, His Worship Garry Moore
19.30Return to Hotel
20.00Dinner at location to be confirmed
Thursday 16 March
09.00Depart hotel for Christchurch Domestic Airport
10.30Domestic Flight Auckland
11.50Arrive Auckland Domestic Airport and transported to Hotel
PMWalkway site briefing — arranged by Auckland Tourism
Friday 17 March
06.30Transported to Auckland Harbour Bridge, Transit Services Area
07.00Climb Auckland Harbour Bridge to raise the Irish Flag
08.00Return to hotel
08.20TV Interview
09.00Transported to Claddagh Irish Bar, Newmarket to attend Starship Hospital Charity Breakfast
10.30Attend Youth Mass and Auckland Irish Society function followed by lunch
14.30Return to hotel
16.45Transfer to the Auckland Club
17.00Attend the Irish Consulate General cocktail reception to be held at the Auckland Club
19.00Transfer via hotel to attend Irish function
TBCReturn to Hotel
Saturday 18 March
AMRest
13.00Depart hotel for Auckland International Airport
15.30Delegation depart on International Flight