Prime Minister, Mr Speaker, Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen,

Thank you, Prime Minister, for your kind words and for giving my wife and myself such a warm welcome. We already feel very much at home here. We felt this right away upon landing. The sea and the landscape remind us of home.

Our discussions this morning were open. They were fruitful. They were friendly.

Although our two countries are at opposite ends of the world, we have many – some would say surprisingly many – similarities. We are similar in size and population. In other words - we are both small and beautiful! We share many geographical features. Norwegians who watched your beautiful country at its best in the Lord of the Rings film trilogy, immediately felt an affinity with your high mountains and deep fjords.

We both have long coastlines and a longstanding dependence on the sea for our livelihood. The sea has also been the focal point of our bilateral relations. Norwegian ships call regularly at New Zealand ports, and Norwegian shipping has for years had a presence in New Zealand.

As I am sure you know, a number of Norwegian pioneering families emigrated to New Zealand as early as the 1870s and took part in the building of this country. The name of Norsewood is a lasting commemoration of their efforts.

Our bilateral relations are excellent. We share many of the same values. We work together for human rights, and indigenous and environmental issues. New Zealand is at the forefront on these issues. We have a shared interest in a strong UN. We play our parts in peace support operations and conflict resolution around the world.

There is still a lot of potential, however, for further developing our bilateral relations. We want to see more trade and investments. Travel between Norway and New Zealand is modest, but it is increasing. Today we have signed an agreement which will make it easier for young people from one country to work and travel in the other country for a whole year.

Some 350 Norwegians study at New Zealand universities. They will return to Norway with valuable knowledge and experience of New Zealand. This is a solid investment in our future relations. I want to thank you for the excellent hospitality and teaching facilities that you are extending to our young people. You extend excellent hospitality also to slightly older people. The traditional and wonderful Maori ceremony which welcomed us today was impressive and heart-warming.

I would like to conclude by proposing a toast to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Second. To the Queen!