I wish to begin by acknowledging all who have gathered here today to grieve for a loved one who died or was injured here in Christchurch on the 22 Feb 2011; and everyone who feels the sense of loss that we collectively experienced in the aftermath of that day.
 
International experience tells us that years' three to five are very hard for a city that has experienced trauma in the way that we have.
 
We think of today as the fourth anniversary but given that the last of the large aftershocks occurred on the 23rd December 2011, we are really at the beginning of year three.

Kia ora koutou katoa.
 
Vice-chancellor Dr Rod Carr, Canterbury University students of 2015 and your families.
 
I would like to add my welcome in my role as Mayor of Christchurch – for those of you who have travelled here from out of town or overseas – welcome to Christchurch.

Kia ora koutou katoa. It is nice to be back at Christchurch Community House – I was here only two weeks ago to officially open this facility.
 
In that ceremony I thanked all Community House members and volunteers for continuing their important work serving the community under the difficult conditions we have endured since the Canterbury earthquake sequence.
 
I'd like to repeat that sentiment again today, as we celebrate the launch of Holding Hope Together.

Kia ora koutou katoa. Christchurch look at you ... Christchurch we're back!
 
I'd like to welcome the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 to our city.
 
Christchurch has been waiting for this day to arrive for years.
 
In 2011 we were looking forward to hosting two quarter finals and a semi-final of the Rugby World Cup. But after the earthquakes there was no way we could deliver that.
 
Today, four years later, we welcome the world into our backyard – that's how New Zealand families play cricket – the backyard, the front yard, the local park, anywhere there is room to swing a bat.

E nga mana, e nga reo, e nga karangamaha tena koutou, 
 
Nga mihi nui ki a koutou, 
 
Tena koutou, tena koutou tena ra tatou katoa
 
I'd like to welcome you all to tonight's launch of English, Colonial, Modern and Maori by Dr Anna Crighton.

Today we are celebrating the return of Christchurch Community House to permanent premises after four years of uncertainty and disruption.
 
I love attending events like this opening because they symbolise the positive aspects of the recovery.
 
Some of you may have heard the slogan 2015 Christchurch: 'It's happening'. And it really is.