New Zealand Prime Minister John Key had more cause to marvel at the generosity of Australians when he ended his historic transtasman trip at a lavish dinner intended to raise more than $700,000 towards the Christchurch earthquake appeal last night.
New Zealand Prime Minister John Key had more cause to marvel at the generosity of Australians when he ended his historic transtasman trip at a lavish dinner intended to raise more than $700,000 towards the Christchurch earthquake appeal last night.
Hours after becoming the first New Zealand Prime Minister invited to address the Australian Federal Parliament -- an opportunity he used to praise Australia’s support following the Pike River mining disaster and Christchurch earthquake -- Mr Key attended the final engagement on his two-day trip -- a $10,000-a-seat charity dinner hosted by New Zealand multi-millionaire businessman Sir Ralph Norris in Sydney.
The former boss of Air New Zealand, and now chief executive of the Commonwealth Bank of Australia, Sir Ralph hoped the dinner catered by Sydney-based expat New Zealand chef Justin North would ultimately boost the government’s relief fund by $1 million.
Chief executives and chief financial officers from major corporations that operated on either side of the Tasman were targeted by Sir Ralph who was pleased 80% of those approached forked out for the meal and a variety of wines provided by Villa Maria.
The function was held at the mansion of Aussie Home Loans founder John Symond in exclusive Point Piper. His property, worth up to $50m, is regarded as one of the most expensive private homes in Australia.
Mark Weldon, who is the prime minister's representative for the Christchurch Earthquake Appeal Fund, also attended.
Commonwealth Australian Bank has already been a strong financial supporter of the rebuilding effort in Christchurch and Mr Norris acknowledged fundraising was an on-going issue.
"It’s important business and government work together in rebuilding Christchurch," he said at a joint press conference held shortly after the Key delegation arrived from the Australian capital.
Mr Key, who also used his address to extol the virtues of trans-Tasman economic cooperation, was gratified Mr Norris had organised the special occasion.
He was impressed at the 80 per cent uptake, describing it as "a fantastic endorsement of the linkage between Australia and New Zealand."
"It’s never easy to get people along for a dinner that costs $10,000 for a seat."
Mr Key said the government’s fund had collected about $80m -- 10 per cent of which was raised in Australia.
Although the government faced a massive repair bill for Christchurch -- $25 billion and counting -- Mr Key said the fund’s money would be devoted to projects outside the scope of central and local government.
"In the context of the $25 billion we need to spend it’s a small amount ($80m) but it’s for the sorts of things that just won’t happen without that discretionary spending," he said, using the example of rebuilding a local scouts den as a project worth financing.
Meanwhile, Key was delighted by the reception he received after becoming the eighth foreign leader welcomed to speak before Australia's parliament.
His 20-minute speech emphasised the unique bond the two countries have shared since they fought alongside each other at Gallipoli and urged closer economic relations.
Mr Key returned to Wellington early today, with fond memories of an address which earned a standing ovation.
"It was a great opportunity, a great experience and I think it is testament to the way Australia feels about New Zealand that they would afford us that privilege," he said.
"I think it was really important to put on the record how we feel about the relationship, how we think it’s evolved and where it can go to from here."
