Anyoung haseyo. May I begin by acknowledging other guests.
 
Judy Yun, President of the Korean Society of Christchurch
 
Mr Kim Hae-yong, Ambassador Designate of the Korean Embassy
Songpa Mayor Park Choon-Hee
Members of Parliament, Melissa Lee & Poto Williams
Councillors and community board members
Korean Honorary Consul Paul MacDonald
Christchurch Songpa-gu Sister City Chair Phil Tappenden

HE Ambassador of Japan to New Zealand, Mr Yasuaki Nogawa
HE Ambassador of New Zealand to Japan, Mr. Mark Sinclair
Co Chairmen of the Japan New Zealand Business Council –
Mr. Ian Kennedy and Mr Kazuhisa Shinoda
Distinguished Guests and Delegates
 
It is a privilege to be able to welcome you to Christchurch in my capacity as the city's Mayor.
 
The wreath-laying ceremony that we have just had at the CTV building site has served as a poignant reminder of the tragedy that claimed so many of the lives lost on that fateful day, 22nd February 2011. The collapse of the CTV building killed 115 people, of which 28 were from Japan. It is a heartache we share.

As Mayor of Christchurch, it my honour to welcome you all here today on this monumental occasion.
 
May I thank Mr Jin the Christchurch Chinese Consul-General for being here today and supporting the four delegations. May I also acknowledge Mayor David Ayers from Waimakariri District Council, Councillors Jimmy Chen & Jamie Gough, Council Chief Executive Dr Karleen Edwards & Malcolm Johns from our International Airport.

There hasn't been a time in our city's history when we have had the opportunity to four senior delegations from Chinese cities on the same day, and I am honoured that you have all come to visit Christchurch.

There would few occasions that would match the re-opening of the Isaac Theatre Royal as a pre-eminent milestone in our city's recovery.
 
I wanted to say a few words in my representative capacity to express my gratitude to everyone who has worked over the past few decades to ensure that this theatre was not lost to man-made or natural devastation.
 
On this occasion, I want to record the names of Malcolm Douglas, Stephen Erber, Malcolm Ott, Colin Robertson, David Stock, Sir Miles Warren and Noel Wesney who were the bedrock of what we see today.

City Councillors and Community Board members
The Right Reverend Victoria Matthews, Bishop of Christchurch
Mr Richard Ballantyne
Mr Philip Richard, Executive Director, JR Ballantyne & Co
Area Commander Dave Stackhouse & New Zealand Fire Service crews
 
And most importantly, a special welcome to the families who lost loved ones on that deeply sad day 67 years ago. I know many of you have come a long way to be here today.
 
Welcome everyone to the Ruru Lawn Cemetery and to this beautiful rose garden.