I wish to begin by acknowledging all who have gathered here or who have tuned into the broadcast today to grieve for a loved one who died on the 22 Feb 2011; or who were seriously injured on the day; or were traumatised by what they saw or were called upon to do; or who have experienced loss as a result of the earthquake and in this I include people who lost their home, their neighbourhood, their business, their job.
 
We have been through a lot as a city and there is still much healing to be done.

I have decided that if all the political parties can start the year with a State of the Nation address, then I should begin the year with a State of the City address.
 
I would like to thank John Paterson for allowing me to deliver this address here. I have attended a number of meetings at the Parklands Baptist Church since the time I first ran as a candidate in Christchurch East in 1999. My experience of representing this electorate over the past three years has prepared me well for the role I now hold. I first met John when I was Minister for Senior Citizens - he taught me everything I needed to know for that role. So it is fitting that I make my address here. So why have I decided to make a State of the City address?

E nga mana, e nga reo, e nga iwi, tena koutous, tena koutou, tena ra tatou katoa
 
Ian Smith, Chair of the Drug Injecting Services in Canterbury Trust, South Island Regional Manager, Maggie Treweek, Diana Stewart manager of the Rodger Wright Centre, staff, volunteers and guests.
 
I accepted this invitation because I spoke at the last opening. And I was at the original opening as the MP for Christchurch Central.

It is a pleasure as Mayor of Christchurch to play a role in the opening ceremony of this year's Festival of Flowers made special by the fact that it is the Festival's Silver Jubilee. The theme this year is "Love Our Garden City". This is not an instruction. It is a statement of affection for our city – our garden city.
 
We had had many comments about whether Christchurch will always be known as such – in my view we will always be the Garden City, but that doesn't mean that's all we are. The reference to a garden means much more to a generation of children coming through enviro-schools today than it did when I received a packet of seeds to plant flowers in our garden at home. I grew nasturtiums. I think I liked the name and they were easy to grow.

E te whare e tu nei, tena koe
E te papa ki waho tena koe
E nga mate, haere, haere, haere
E nga mana, e nga reo, e nga iwi o te motu, e nga iwi nga hau e wha
tena koutou, tena koutou, tena ra tatou katoa

I acknowledge and greet the house, the land, those who have gone before, the prestige of the occasion, the voices, the people of this area and the people who have come from the directions of the four winds. I acknowledge the councillors, community board members and MPs who have come to support this occasion. I wish to thank Te Hapu o Ngati Wheke for their manaakitanga. You have made us feel very welcome and made this a special day for us all. I particularly welcome the 25 candidates, representing 11 different nationalities, who leave the marae this afternoon as New Zealand Citizens. I know that this is a very important milestone in your lives.

Thank you for inviting me here today and giving me the opportunity to be part of an event which showcases both the sport of golf and women's sport in one prestigious event and brings such an array of international players to our city.

Nicky Wagner, MP
Chrissie Williams leading the Natural Environment Recovery Programme for Environment Canterbury
Helen Beaumont, Natural Environment and Heritage Unit Manager
Representatives of:
Styx Living Laboratory Trust, Travis Wetland Trust, Avon-Otakaro Network,
South Brighton Residents Assoc, Avon-Heathcote Estuary Ihutai Trust and
CCC Park Ranger Service
 
The 2 February each year is World Wetlands Day, marking the date of the adoption of the Convention on Wetlands now 43 years ago.