I want to acknowledge the ChCh Aeropace Centre:
Kea Aerospace
ChristchurchNZ
UC
NZTE

Innovation is in our DNA - it is an integral part of our history and it is very much a part of our future.

Christchurch and Canterbury have a long history of exploration and innovation.  
1.    Christchurch was the leaping off point for the heroic age of exploration with both Robert Falcon Scott and Ernest Shackleton, basing themselves in Christchurch before heading onto that last to be discovered continent, Antarctica.
2.    Ernest Rutherford, one of the greatest physicists of all time, who explored the boundaries of nuclear physics and was the first to split the atom, attended University here in Christchurch.
3.    Sir William Hamilton, who developed the HamiltonJet waterjet - one of the most advanced and innovative marine propulsion systems still in use today
4.   Sir Angus Tait, the radio communications pioneer, whose company Tait Communications will based here in Christchurch, remains a world leader and continues to innovate over 50 years later. 
5.    And Zephyr Airworks, who has chosen Canterbury to explore the development of future transport technologies through Cora, their autonomous flying taxi

This ability to innovate was even more evident after the earthquakes as people, communities, businesses and institutions quickly created new ways of operating, and devised innovative solutions to new challenges, drawing on their own resourcefulness and that of their communities.

This openness to experiment, to try new things and new ways of doing things is embedded in our city narrative – a City of Exploration and opportunity - a city open to new ideas, new people and new ways of doing things - a place where anything is possible. 

·       Leverages technology and data evolution
·       Responds to changing consumer or industry needs
·       Focuses on old, new and emerging competitors
·       Unlearns as fast as they learn
·       Undertakes innovation that is designed to scale

Companies cannot afford to be
·      blind to technology and data evolution
·       Keep to the same existing needs
·       Focus on historical competitors
·       Learn but not let go
·       Innovate in pockets, but not to scale.

As you have seen Christchurch and Canterbury have always been the ‘basecamp for exploration’ – which ChristchurchNZ has captured
This Super-node focus builds on the strengths across the region with links to emerging global opportunities. We are excited about the opportunity to inspire innovation around these Super-nodes:
1. Aerospace and Future transport
2. Future Food, Fibre and Agritech
3. Health tech & Well being
4. Hi-tech Services

Each of our Super-nodes builds on our strong tertiary presence in Christchurch, with University of Canterbury, University of Lincoln, Ara Institute and University of Otago Canterbury Campus - who supply our strong pipeline of talent and skills that unlock our businesses success today and for tomorrow. 

The former Riccarton Service Centre dates back to 1914 when it served as the Riccarton Town Hall in the former Riccarton Borough Council.  It was built at a cost of £1,147. 
 
The needs of the Council were obviously quite a bit different then.  As well as offices and the Town Hall, one of the other priorities identified was the need for stables and a grazing area for the Council's horse. 
 
Councillors were looking to the future though even back then, and made sure the new building would be capable of having electric lights installed at a later date.
 
The Town Hall served additional functions over the years. During the 1918 influenza epidemic, it was used as a headquarters for the relief effort, with seventy volunteers provided nursing and medical care, and meals and soup being prepared and distributed from the supper room. The meals were delivered in Mayor John Brown's car.
 
The Town Hall also functioned as a telegram receiving office between 1914 and 1923.
 
By the 1950s the Town Hall was heavily used and showing signs of wear and tear. The existing buildings were extended in 1960, and new borough offices were opened on the site of this new Rārākau: Riccarton Centre in 1964. 
 
The Mayor of the day, Ted Bradshaw "expressed his personal pleasure at the move, and considered that staff would find the building a tremendous relief after the poky quarters in which they had existed for many years."
Upon amalgamation with the Christchurch City Council in October 1989, the former Town Hall complex became the Riccarton Community Centre and the former Council offices were leased out as a bar and restaurant.
 
It is great to see that this site that has served the local community for so long will continue to do so in the form of this purpose built Rārākau: Riccarton Centre. 
 
I understand that there are many events planned for January and February (including displays of historical information, an expo involving local Riccarton organisations and a Riccarton photo competition). 
 
I’m particularly interested in the history of all the places in Outautahi Christchurch, Maori and European. Pūtaringamotu meaning the place of an echo or severed ear, both of which have stories, and of course the name Riccarton comes from a parish in East Ayrshire, Scotland, where the Deans brothers were born.
 
Today a new chapter in the rich history of this area begins.
 
So, I encourage you all to enjoy this new facility in the heart of Riccarton - a place that reflects the heart and spirit of this wonderful community.

​Thank you for the opportunity to speak at this significant event to mark the end of Peter Davie’s tenure as Chief Executive of Lyttelton Port Company.
 
We’re here to acknowledge Peter’s 16 years as Chief Executive of the Company. However, I understand that his association with the port goes back many years earlier and started with his appointment as a marketing junior. He clearly had ambitions for greater things and went on to work in Australian ports for a number of years, for seven of those in the role of CEO.
 
Peter became Chief Executive of Lyttelton Port Company in 2003 and since then he has worked with two Christchurch City Holdings Chief Executives, Bob Lineham and Paul Munro, and three mayors, Garry Moore, Bob Parker and now me.
 
In Peter’s sixteen years with the port, there have been both great challenges and achievements. The greatest challenge was, of course, the response to the earthquakes.  Immediately following the February 2011 quake, the port was only closed for three days. That is an extraordinary achievement.
 
Since then he has led the Port through the development of the Lyttelton Port Recovery Plan and the business case for the redevelopment, which has included a significant component of reclamation.
 
During his time as Chief Executive container volumes have tripled, equating to over half of all South Island container movements.
 
As Peter leaves LPC it is positioned well for the future, with new Berths including the Cruise Berth and an expanded Container Terminal (thanks to the reclamation programme), not to mention the development of a successful inland port in Rolleston. 

The port has also been opened up to the community with the completion of the Te Ana Marina, which is a fantastic facility, of which you can be very proud.

So Peter, I would like to thank you on behalf of the people of Christchurch for your 16 years with Lyttelton Port Company.

And I want to acknowledge Wendie – behind every succesful man I’ve ever known lies an equally successful partner. And you have been no exception.

I wish you both well for the future – I understand sailing may have a significant part to play in that – which feels a perfect way to bring this part of your career to a close.

Recognising too the leadership role you have also played with the Chamber of Commerce, you have made a significant contribution to your city and region, and we are the richer for that.
​
So congratulations on all your achievements and we wish you clear skies, calm seas and a kind wind forever at your back, wherever life takes you.