SpeechRt Hon WINSTON PETERS (Minister of Foreign Affairs): Madam Chair can I just say at the very beginning that COVID-19 has been a significant shock with global ramifications and serious implications for New Zealand's foreign and trade policy. The challenges brought on by COVID fall heavily on small trading nations like New Zealand as we depend on stability predictability and cooperative solutions to global problems. There will be a recovery and New Zealand's strong fiscal position and balance sheet our positive brand on the international stage and our enviably low proportion of COVID-19 cases mean that we can be cautiously optimistic that we can emerge earlier and stronger from this crisis.We have strong democratic institutions and values an adherence to the rule of law and we are committed to equality inclusivity and accountability. These characteristics are central to our international brand and have underpinned much of our global economic and diplomatic success. But the global landscape will be different which will challenge how New Zealand engages in the world. Diplomacy will be critical to protecting New Zealand's interests and values in the world and we need to keep New Zealand relevant protect our influence through coalitions of like-minded countries defend and reinforce shared rules and norms and be proactive in building and leveraging relationships.We are well placed through investment made in relationships and institutions in the Pacific key relationships and regional institutions in the Indo-Pacific region innovations in international trade architecture and overseas development aid expenditure. We will need to invest in strong coalitions of countries open to protecting and championing the same norms and values as New Zealand.The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade's (MFAT) three priorities have remained the same throughout the crisis: first maintain and sustain our global network of posts offshore so they can help New Zealanders offshore; second provide advice to the Government on COVID-related foreign policy issues and international developments; and third help keep people safe abroad and at home. Since planning began for the first evacuation flight from Wuhan in China in late January MFAT has been working around the clock with 404 dedicated people working three shifts a day 24/7 in New Zealand and in posts across the globe to provide consular services keep air links open for essential freight and provide information on a daily basis about over 100 countries across the globe. This last point is important. MFAT's diplomatic reporting has played a key role in enabling the Government to do the right thing at home by learning from international experience. MFAT has helped us understand what measures others were taking what is working to flatten the curve and what isn't. The numbers involved have been massive since the crisis began. MFAT's Wellington consular call centre has received over 11000 inquiries and provided consular support or advice to thousands of New Zealanders in about 150 countries and territories. At the same time we encouraged New Zealanders to return home and around 80000 New Zealanders answered that call many thousands being assisted by MFAT. We have also facilitated over 50000 foreign nationals to depart our shores during the level 4 lockdown and level 3 restrictions. That's almost 130000 people moved within New Zealand and to New Zealand in the eye of the COVID storm during mainly lockdown at level 4 and meanwhile not imperilling the safety of the New Zealand people. It's going to be a big year ahead for MFAT as we tackle the global environment defined by COVID-19 but the great news is that MFAT is up for the challenge.CHAIRPERSON (Hon Anne Tolley): Someone—anyone?Hon Member: It's the different format; we just didn't quite—CHAIRPERSON (Hon Anne Tolley): OK.