Minister Hon Simon Bridges
MP Megan Wood
Kaikoura Mayor Winston gray 
Selwyn Mayor Sam Broughton
Mohammed Hikmet and the team from HMI Technologies
Malcolm Johns & the team from CIAL 
Councillors and other guests​

I would like to begin by thanking HMI Technologies and CIAL for enabling our city to become an early adopter of innovative technology. And I would like to acknowledge Vick Buck in particular who has been at the forefront of supporting innovative and disruptive technology. 

This event more than any other speaks to who we are as a city.  We were New Zealand’s first city established by Royal Charter in 1856. So we are New Zealand’s oldest city and we are becoming its newest city.

Christchurch is well known as New Zealand’s Garden City.  What that means in the 21st century is more about sustainability than gardens. Today is about that sustainability and who we are. We are the home of innovation and creativity.

Our university can claim some of the great minds of the 19th and 20th Century starting with Ernest Rutherford.

The Hamilton jet was designed here, as was the Montgomery mooring system, the Brittan superbike, Dynamic Controls, the Yike Bike, the Martin jet pack – the list goes on.

I remember when our electricity lines company went looking for the best radio technology in the world to make itself more resilient in a post disaster environment, they found it across the road - Tait electronics. 

I went to a 100th birthday party on Sunday and talked about the changes the gentleman concerned had seen in a century and how the rate of progress he would have observed had increased exponentially over the past two decades. That rate of increase will continue on that exponential curve.

And that’s what today is all about. Being at the front end of the curve. Not being a fast follower, but being a leader.

Autonomous electric vehicles are part of the future and they are coming ready or not; I’d rather be ready.

Christchurch has become a city of opportunity. We are open to new ideas, to new people and new ways of doing things.  A place where anything is possible.

But as I’ve highlighted it is our history too.  It is who we have always been.
The significance of attracting this project to Christchurch at this time cannot be over-stated.

We have invited central government and the private sector to partner with us and our communities on trialling anything that will better prepare our city and our nation for the future.

It’s no longer about whether we succeed or fail; it’s what we learn along the way and what we can see as the next opportunity on the horizon that makes this an incredibly exciting time in our history.


Welcome aboard – it’s going to be a crazy ride

I am invited to many events – too many to attend all of them. So I guess I should explain why I accepted this invitation and asked Cr Deon Swiggs to accompany me.
First, I enjoy the opportunity to celebrate progress. Travel accommodation has been hit hard in Christchurch, so these will be welcome additional beds within the central city.

Second, this is not just any accommodation – the Eco-Villa is the way of the future. In our invitation here, we have been told that the original building has been radically up-cycled and freshly renovated with heaps of love and craftsmanship.

I despair of the central city buildings that could have been repaired and renovated that were demolished simply because they weren’t in the right place. It’s important to always remember that the greenest building is the one that’s already standing.

And third, tonight speaks to who we are as a city.  We were New Zealand’s first city established by Royal Charter in 1856. So we are New Zealand’s oldest city and we are becoming its newest city.

And this event represents not only pride in our heritage, but also the application of modern techniques, which will equip us for the future.

I went to a 100th birthday party on Sunday and talked about the changes the gentleman concerned had seen in a century and how the rate of progress he would have observed had increased exponentially over the past two decades. That rate of increase will continue on that exponential curve.

Unless we understand the importance of our environment and take steps such as this to create opportunities from existing resources, then we will miss the opportunity to become a beacon for sustainability.
​
So that’s why I came.  I came to say thank you for reminding us what’s important. And that’s what I’d call real progress.

​Local MP, Hon Ruth Dyson
City Councillors, Community Board representatives
The Summit Road Society, including John Goodrich and Paula Jameson (great-granddaughter of Harry Ell)
Janice Thornton (tenant of the Sign of the Kiwi)
The whole team who worked on this restoration
Distinguished guests one and all,
 
I am delighted to be here to today to join you all in celebrating the reopening of the Sign of the Kiwi and to pay tribute to the people who have made this happen.
 
In June this year the building will be a century old, a tribute to Harry Ell, who was the driving force behind the Summit Road and the rest-houses, of which the Sign of the Kiwi was the third after the Sign of the Bellbird and the Sign of the Packhorse; architect Samuel Hurst Seagar, whose interest in vernacular domestic architecture insisted on it blending with the surrounding environment and not disrupting the panorama of the hills; and Charles Calvert, who not only built it, but also advanced much of the money required for the build.
 
I hadn’t realised that the Sign of the Kiwi was a tollgate to assist with the costs of constructing the Summit Road and the stone section of the original tollgate forms part of its Category 1 historic place listing, which was obtained in 1989. It was interesting to note that the Heathcote County Council forced Harry to shut down the tollgate in 1932 but the Halswell County Council let him establish a new one in their county.
 
WWII was not kind to the Sign of the Kiwi, when it fell into disuse, and was closed by the Department of Lands & Survey in 1940. It transferred to the CCC after 1948 and used as custodian’s house. In 1989 the council began restoring it to its former glory and it once again operated as a tearooms and information centre – until the earthquakes struck.
 
So that’s the history.  And now it’s my role to thank the team behind what has been a wonderful restoration project. We have lost so much as a city that every such restoration means a lot to us all, and to have played a role in this project, must give each and every one of you a real sense of pride.
 
A big team at the City Council must be thanked. here are too many to name them all, but I did want to single out Richie Moyle  - CCC Programme Manager – Heritage Rebuild, John Radburn, Project Director and Mike Suttill – Senior Project Manager.
And I will acknowledge everyone in the Council Heritage, Regional Parks and the Project Management teams who have supported this project and thank you for your efforts.
 
Can I also thank: Conservation Architects Tony Ussher and William Fulton, Ian Domigan, Senior Engineer, Jet Li, Engineer, Sarah Harding, Engineering Geologist, Carol Caldwell, Fire Engineer and Stuart Pearson, Electrical Engineer
 
I would also like to thank Cook Brothers: Grant Harris, Regional Manager, Tony Morley, Project Manager, Michael Mathieson, Site manager and Ross Mosley, Quantity Surveyor and all their contractors: Dunn’s Stonemasonery, Caltec Electrical & AV Ltd, Clyne & Bennie Plumbing, Bromley Steel and The Stone Company.
 
And finally I would like to thank Canterbury Roofing Contracting; McTavish Decorators and last but not least, the painters, Subby solutions and Superior Painters.  You have all done a great job.
 
Seager once said “It is not necessary that we should build grandly or expensively in order to attain that wished-for harmony between Nature and Art. It is only necessary that we should build simply and truthfully…”
 
The Sign of the Kiwi embodies these ideals and remains a beautiful example of New Zealand architecture, so special to us all.
 
 

June, Lady Hillary
Sir Brian Roche, Chairman, Antarctica New Zealand – May I congratulate you on the honour that has been rightfully bestowed upon you
Peter Beggs, CE, Antarctica New Zealand
Lucy Duncan, Deputy Secretary, MFAT
Kerry Chuck, US Antarctic Programme
Yeadong Kim, KOPRI
Eric Assendelft, Christchurch City Antarctic Office
Fellow ‘Antarcticans’, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen
​
Can I begin by acknowledging the absence of Wing Commander Bill Cranfield and his wife Helen, due to Bill being unwell.  His presence would have connected us to the Commonwealth Trans-Antarctic Expedition in a very direct way. May I wish him a speedy recovery on behalf of us all.
 
We are gathered here to celebrate the 60th anniversary of Scott Base, which is an opportunity to underscore the incredibly important role which Antarctica plays for New Zealand as a whole, and for Christchurch in particular.

The milestone we mark tonight took place 60 years ago, on the 20th of January 1957, when Hillary’s Hut was completed. This historic building was of course built under the leadership of Sir Edmund Hillary to support the Commonwealth Trans-Antarctic Expedition; thus forming the foundations for Scott Base, New Zealand’s permanent station for scientific research on the ice.

We are very proud to celebrate milestones like this. Our city’s connections to the ice date back more than a century – Antarctica is part of our heritage.  But it is also very much a part of our future.

Today, we remain very proud of hosting Antarctica’s modern day explorers, who are the international scientists and researchers, connected to Antarctica New Zealand, the US Antarctic Programme, a partnership which dates back to 1955, as well as the Italian and Korean Antarctic programmes, and the wider international Antarctic community through COMNAP.

Last year, we established the city’s Antarctic Office to take a lead role in coordinating the opportunities and the networks that Antarctica brings to Christchurch and that Christchurch offers the Antarctic community as an exemplar gateway city.

Given the range of partnerships we enjoy, we can become the world’s true Antarctic city: University of Canterbury & Gateway Antarctica, Lincoln University, NIWA, Antarctic Heritage Trust, the Antarctic Attraction and the Museum.
On that note, may I thank Antarctica New Zealand for bringing us together, and thank you all for being here.
 

​In the 24 years since the World Buskers Festival first hit our streets, it has grown to become the greatest event of its kind in the world. I exaggerate not. It attracts the finest Buskers in the world. 
 
And since the earthquakes the festival has had a special place in the hearts of Christchurch residents, because when the buildings and streets were cracked and broken, the buskers came anyway and performed wherever a space could be found and brought fun and laughter to our city.
 
To all the artists and performers who’ll be entertaining us over the next ten days, thank you and for those of you who have travelled thank you for coming. We admire your skill, your wit, your dedication to your craft and - and speaking in my capacity as Mayor - your ability to make money appear out of thin air.
 
The council has some budget meetings scheduled next week and depending on how it goes you may well see a range of councillors shaking down passers-by for loose change.
 
Taking Back the Streets is this year’s theme.  And it’s great to see.
             
I need to acknowledge the effort that’s been put in by so many people. Thanks to the sponsors, friends and funders of the festival, thanks to the trustees who have overseen its organisation, and thank you to all the workers and volunteers who make it run smoothly.
 
To everyone here, thank you for attending tonight and please encourage your family and friends to come along to the festival, there really is something for everyone.
 
And again to the performers, thank you once again for making this one of the world’s favourite events.
 
May you all break a leg, may your acts be met with gasps and oohs and aahs and laughs in all the right places, and may the hats you pass around clink and rustle to the sound of well-earned coins and bank-notes.
 
Last year I went looking for a Busker joke and could only find one so I’m forced to tell it again.  How do you kill a busker? Go for the Juggler.
 
Yes you’ll laugh and cry; you’ll laugh until you cry.
 
And on that note I formally declare the 2017 World Buskers Festival open.
 
 

City Councillors, Community Board representatives, the QEII Park team, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen

​It was great to hear Cr East speak about the history of QEII.  The last time I went to an event here was just over three weeks before the February 2011 earthquake.  The 2011 IPC Athletics World Championships were held here from the 21st to the 30th of January and I had the privilege of meeting athletes who went on to qualify for the London Paralympics.

I often think how lucky we were that the earthquake didn’t happen while they were here.

The last community initiated project that I came here for before the earthquakes was the installation of a commemoration plaque recognising the holding of the Games and the then Mayor, Neville Pickering, who had sought to ensure that what would be a metropolitan facility after the Games were over would be a legacy for the east.

I think it is significant to reflect on that decision – which essentially separated the main venue from the Games Village which was located at the student halls in Ilam.  Despite this, the 1974 Commonwealth Games were pronounced ‘the friendly games’ by the participants, such was how welcome they felt in our city.

And that means this place reflected who we are as a city.
After the earthquakes, the Council made the decision to reinstate the metro facility within the four avenues as part of the Central City Recovery Plan. This was confirmed by the government when the Blueprint was released.

I am making this point, because it has been hard for many members of the communities on the east to come to terms with the loss of such a major city asset from the area.

But the new QEII Recreation and Sport Centre will be a true community asset, which will see the return of swimming and fitness amenities to the heart of QEII Park.  It has been designed in collaboration with the community. And unlike the previous facility, which was purpose-built for the Games, this is being purpose-built to serve the local community for generations to come.

And of course the co-location of Avonside Girls and Shirley Boys, opening in 2019, will add even more life and vitality to the area.

I want to especially acknowledge the Christchurch Earthquake Appeal Trust (the Prime Ministers Fund) which donated $6.5 million to put towards water attractions. Although the source of the very large donation has remained anonymous, I know that their motivation in giving was to support the children and young people of the east.  From the bottom of my heart I again say thank you to whoever you are.

This ground-breaking ceremony for the QEII Recreation and Sport Centre marks a new beginning for the east – a real turning point. 

Thank you to all who have played a part in getting to this point and for being here today.

 
Consul-General Jin
MPs Honourable Nicky Wagner, MP Dr Yang Jian and Maureen Pugh
My fellow Mayors and councillors
Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen

Dà ​jiā​ hǎo, good evening everyone, it’s my pleasure to welcome you here tonight and wish you all a Happy New Year of the Rooster, xin ​nián​ kuài​ lè!

According to Chinese legend, roosters are hardworking, resourceful, talented and confident. Although I aspire to be all those things, I’m a Rat, not a rooster. But as it turns out, the Year of the Rooster is predicted to be very favourable for those of us born in the Year of the Rat, which means this should be a good year for Christchurch. 

I am thrilled that so many Mayors have travelled from around the South Island to be here tonight. This shows how united we are in terms of our relationship with China, which has gone from strength to strength over the last few years.
 
When I was elected as mayor we had no direct flights between China and Christchurch – then we had three return flights a week, then it was five times a week and from yesterday China Southern is flying daily between Guangzhou and Christchurch all the way through to the end of February.  I really hope that we can get to a permanent daily flight.
 
Christchurch is the only city in the world that China Southern flies into which has a population of under a million people. And that’s because we are a gateway to the whole of the South Island, which is where tourists coming to New Zealand want to be.
 
On that point, I wish to acknowledge Consul General Jin and his team. Thank you for all that you have done and continue to do for our city, and thank you for bringing tonight’s Gala Show to us. 

We are especially looking forward to seeing the performing troupe from our Sister City of Wuhan, who I welcome on behalf of all the guests this evening. I’d like to acknowledge and thank the Wuhan Municipal Government for the commitment this has entailed.

Finally, to each and every one of you, may the year of the Rooster be a year of good health, peace, prosperity and success.
 
Gōng ​xǐ ​fā​ cái!​ Xiè​ xiè​!

Show President, Andrew Humm, members of the Show committee and the Show's fantastic secretary Tania Bradley

Thank you for the opportunity to come to the Duvauchelle A&P Show as Mayor of Christchurch and the Peninsula. I've enjoyed participating in judging the pallet creations. I think that is a category that will go from strength to strength – re-cycling and up-cycling are the way to go.

I have been here before. Many years ago I came on behalf of the then local MP Hon Ruth Dyson, who couldn't make it.  I saw the terrier race and I was hooked. I have never seen anything so funny in my entire life. I could hardly hold myself up, I was laughing so much.

Christchurch is of course the home of the Canterbury A&P Show with the annual NZ Cup & Show Week as one of the most important weeks in our calendar. But these local A&P Shows are magic.  The young people especially get to win ribbons that reward their skills and effort. 

I often think of the importance of these events in growing our future Commonwealth and Olympic equestrians as well.

And today the local community gets to honour one of its own champions - Mark Thompson - or Tommo as he is known.  His service with the Volunteer Fire Brigade alone sets him apart as an outstanding community leader - nearly 40 years and he's around the same age as I am. I loved reading his story in the Akaroa Mail - so much service to the community deserves to be recognised and I'm just thrilled to be able to congratulate him in person.

So congratulations to everyone who has played a role in making this wonderful A&P Show happen, thanks to the sponsors, thanks to the Marshalls & Stewards, and congratulations to everyone who has participated. And thank you once more for inviting me to share the day with you.