​Kia ora koutoa katoa, I’d like to begin by acknowledging the traditional owners of the land on which we meet today. I would also like to pay my respects to elders past and present.

Can I also acknowledge Dr Clifford Perera and the severity of the loss and trauma that was inflicted on Sri Lanka on Easter Sunday.  When I sent our city’s condolences to the Mayors of the three cities where the attacks took place, I said that none of these attacks was inspired by the faith that took Christchurch Muslim communities to their places of worship on 15 March this year, nor the Christian communities to their places of worship on Easter Sunday. It had nothing to do with religion or faith.