I was very pleased to see the Cluster Munitions Prohibition Bill pass in the House last Thursday. I am grateful to my colleagues who allowed me to speak on this Bill as it is a personal issue for me. I was Humanitarian Coordinator in Lebanon at the time of the Israeli-Hizbollah conflict and witnessed the effect of cluster bombs first hand. Here is a link to my speech. 

David Shearer opening the Taupo Hilton

David Shearer opening the Taupo Hilton

Taupo Mayor Rick Cooper, Head of Hilton Australasia Ashley Spenser and David Shearer

I was very pleased to be invited to the opening of the Taupo Hilton Hotel. The Hilton will attract many thousands of people across the world who are allured by the Hilton brand, or connected to its extensive network of advertising.

It will further publicise Taupo as an all-season destination with world class attractions and amenities.

The opening was warmly led by Te Ngati Tuwharetoa, the Tangata Whenua of Taupo, who acknowledged their ancestral connections to the Hilton site.

Here’s my press release about Rocket Lab’s successful launch into space on 30 November 2009.

Shearer congratulates Kiwi space mission

Labour’s Research, Science and Technology spokesperson David Shearer has congratulated Rocket Lab Limited for its successful rocket launch into space this afternoon.

“The successful lift-off of Atea-1 marks a special moment in New Zealand’s proud science history,” David Shearer said.

“In science if a job is worth doing it’s worth doing right, so congratulations to all those behind today’s launch.

“The entire project has been a incredible journey of passion and commitment by Peter Beck and Mark Rocket and their small but dedicated team, a lot of the time against the odds.

“I was at the launch site on Great Mercury Island this morning and met with the rocket team.

“They are an inspiration and show the innovative and resourcefulness of Kiwis”.

David Shearer said while the launch will have been a great spectacle to watch the Atea-1 and its successors will be a vital tool for scientific research for the future.

“It’s likely there will be commercial spin-offs from companies wanting to utilise the technology for research, but the research carried out by Rocket Lab could also trigger technological advances,” David Shearer said.

“We aren’t the first to venture into space, but we could create a first with what we discover now we are there.”

Here’s a link to the Herald piece with some photos.