Although four councillors are returning to the Council table, we are a new council and this is a fresh start.
We have been meeting since the day after the election and I can say that each and every one of us is committed to delivering the leadership this city has mandated us to provide.
We had a discussion last week about our values and goals as a Council.
When I went back to my office (and someone had showed me how to turn on my computer) the screen saver displayed this message "One Team Making It Happen with Integrity and Passion".
"One team" reflects unity – as a Council, as a city and in how we relate to others as a partner with central government, other councils, ECan, and Ngai Tahu; "making it happen" is about our 'can do' attitude enabling communities and businesses to do what needs to be done; "integrity" is about transparency and accountability – the plain and honest truth; and "passion", coming from the Latin 'to suffer', promises the level of commitment we each make to the city of Christchurch.
"One Team Making it Happen with Integrity and Passion" – that's how we pledge to serve our city.