​Mihi
 
Prime Minister, Ministers, Members of Parliament, Councillors and all our guests who have joined us today.
 
Can I make special mention of Dame Ann Hercus, who was New Zealand’s first Minister of Women’s Affairs, who persuaded our PM to be here today. Thank you.  I remember Dame Ann saying at the launch of the Ministry of Women’s Affairs now the Ministry for Women:  "We are the only government department working for our own demise."
 
Unfortunately demolishing the structure of inequality has not happened yet and nearly 35 years on we still need our Ministry.
 
It seems fitting that we celebrate 125 years of Women’s Suffrage in the Isaac Theatre Royal.  This theatre has over 100 years of history of its own.  This is its third incarnation. Like the three petitions it took for the Women’s Suffrage campaign to be successful, this place stands testament to the spirit of tenacity and determination.
 
Can I on that note acknowledge the large number of young people from the 22 local schools represented here today.
 
I remember coming to the Theatre Royal for the first time.  The Mayor came out on the stage to welcome all the school children.  I can’t remember anything he said, and I don’t expect any of you to remember anything I say either, except for one thing.
 
Be proud of your city.  Your city is part of who you are.  And it’s history is part of who you are too.
 
Today we are beginning the celebration of 125 years of women’s suffrage, the first country in the world to do so, and it all started here in Christchurch. Today we ask you to feel inspired by the tenacity and determination of the suffragists – and never let go.
 
It took 25 years for women to get the right to stand for Parliament and another 15 years after that for the first woman to be elected to Parliament – and that was here in Christchurch too – Elizabeth McCombs representing the set of Lyttleton.
 
I should make the point that Kate Sheppard campaigned on behalf of women on many issues; contraception, the right to divorce, the importance of physical exercise, and even doing away with corsets.  I mention the corsets because they represent being constrained – and women cannot and must not be constrained if they are to achieve equality.
 
Sadly there are women in NZ and throughout our world who continue to have their rights, and therefore none of us can afford to be complacent.
 
Kate Sheppard knew she couldn’t be complacent. Three years after the first vote, Kate helped establish the National Council of Women (NCW) with the first meeting here in Christchurch. In three years time we will celebrate 125 years of that organisation which continues to be a powerful voice for women.
 
So what better way to start our city’s celebration of what we have contributed as a city to our nation’s story, than to have our Prime Minister address us today. 
 
The Rt Hon Jacinda Adern is the third woman to become New Zealand’s Prime Minister.
 
She has quickly established herself as an outstanding leader and a role model for generations of leaders to come.
 
I am really looking forward to hearing her speak to today, and I know you are too. 
Please join me in welcoming Jacinda.

​I want to begin by acknowledging Ahmed Tani who has been a constant and committed volunteer since the Christchurch Refugee Resettlement Centre started operating over 12 years ago – originally as the Refugee Council.  Thank you for hosting us today.
 
The Centre is an important part of a very strong sector with significant expertise in refugee resettlement in the city, many of whom are present in this room today.
 
Christchurch has long valued the contribution made by refugees to the social, cultural and economic fabric of the city. The impact of the earthquakes on those communities was particularly hard, having been through so much before.
 
And yet we saw amazing examples of the deep seated resilience this had engendered. Many of the Somali community banded together after the earthquake and volunteered to clear liquefaction and the women cooked for the Police and Army at the cordons in a strong display of solidarity.
 
What is heartening though, is that our incredible support network of agencies survived the departure of a number of members of our refugee communities and the subsequent suspension of quota refugees to the city, and are still providing excellent services.
 
Refugees have brought a rich and diverse range of cultures and experiences to our city.
 
We have embraced that diversity and every month I have the honour of bestowing citizenship on many refugees.  That is particularly gratifying when I have been part of their resettlement story as an MP or Minister of Immigration and now as Mayor.
 
Today’s announcement is another milestone in Christchurch’s recovery story. This is an important statement of who we are and what aspire to be.
 
At the citizenship ceremonies, I always comment that many of the candidates have to give up their citizenship of birth when they choose to become New Zealand citizens. However as I say, in so doing none of them severs their ties with their home of birth; they bring their language, their culture, their values and their history with them, and they nurture them in their children. And we, the wider community, are enriched by their experience and all that they bring to our city.
 
A year ago our council adopted a Multicultural Strategy.  This action brings it to life and makes it meaningful.
 
But make no mistake. Today would not have happened without the refugees who have resetttled here and made Christchurch their home, and all the agencies and services that have established and maintained the supportive and caring environment this resettlement programme demands.
 
Thank you to each and every one of you and to you Minister and the officials who have expressed confidence in Christchurch in this special way.

​Cllrs Sara Templeton and Cllr Phil Clearwater
CE Karleen Edwards
 
It’s an absolute pleasure to be here on the occasion of the reopening of the Rose Historic Chapel, which has undergone a meticulous restoration process, involving a blend of modern repair techniques with traditional stone masonry as you can see. The quality of the craftsmanship and attention to detail in the repair and restoration work mean this chapel can now be enjoyed by many generations to come.

LGNZ Conference  welcome
​Hon Grant Robertson, Hon Megan Woods, MPs and other guests, Mayors, councillors, Chief Executives, council staff and conference sponsors: Welcome to Christchurch and the Canterbury region.  
 
We are incredibly proud to host the 2018 Local Government New Zealand Conference: We are Firmly Focused on the Future.
 
And here in Christchurch and the Canterbury Region that is precisely what we are. Firmly Focused on the Future.

Innovation and Regeneration – Be Leadership
Thank you for inviting me back. I was here two years ago and although the theme this year is slightly different, actually much of it is the same.
The theme this year is “Leading Innovation and Regeneration” and is designed to enable you to explore a consideration of the possibilities, challenges, realities and dreams key leaders create and face during a time of regeneration.

I know you will be reflecting on the role of resilience in sustaining wellness over such a long period of change and/or endurance following a natural or human-made disaster.
Finally we know that last year was election year – and I know you’re interested to know about what has changed since then.

Ballet Foundation Launch of Corey Baker Scholarship
Acknowledgements:
The Ballet Foundation of New Zealand
Coca Art Gallery
Jo Norris ChristchurchNZ
AntarcticaNZ
Sharon Howells School of Dance
Southern Ballet and the Royal New Zealand Ballet.

I have met Cory Baker a few times now and the last time was when we were celebrating the launch of the First Dance which was danced in Antarctica with Royal New Zealand Ballet Dancer, Madeleine Graham.

Taiora QEII Recreation and Sport Centre opening
E ngā mana, e ngā reo, e rau rangatira mā
Tēnei te mihi ki a koutou i runga i te kaupapa o te rā
Tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou katoa
 
City Councillors, Community Board representatives, the QEII Park team, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen.
Cr David East has described the history of QEII and Cr Glenn Livingstone has talked about the process that has led to the development of the new QEII at this place. I have been left with the task of describing the features that make up Taiora: QEII Recreation and Sport Centre.

Red Zone stakeholders event
Those of you who were here for the opening saw me set aside my speech notes, in favour of acknowledging the impact the earthquakes had had on the lives of people who lived in the communities of Bexley, New Brighton, Burwood, Avondale, Dallington, Avonside, Richmond and the Avon Loop represented powerfully by the tribute to those areas created from letterboxes and flowers made from house keys. It’s the first thing we see when we enter the door to the exhibition.

Enable Stakeholder completion evening 
Can I acknowledge the Minister, Hon Clare Curran, MPs, Councillors, Enable Chair Brett Gamble and the other members of the board, Enable CE Steve Fuller and the Enable team L&G.
I also want to acknowledge Garry Moore, who describes himself as an extinguished Mayor, but tonight who is a distinguished guest.  He is one of the reasons we are here tonight.