I would like to begin by acknowledging Dr Chryssy Potsiou the President of FIG and Mr Mark Allen the President of the NZ Institute of Surveyors.
And also Margareta Wahlstrom, who I met in Christchurch 4 years ago, and who invited me to join the Parliamentarians Advisory Group to the UNISDR, which led me to a much deeper understanding of the role of Disaster Risk Reduction in building resilience to adversity, whatever the cause.
As Mayor of Christchurch, I would normally be asked to provide a welcome to such an important event as this and to encourage you to enjoy all the intriguing aspects of our ever-evolving city. But I am delighted to be asked to speak at the first plenary session – the Christchurch Story – our response to the 2011 earthquake.
And also Margareta Wahlstrom, who I met in Christchurch 4 years ago, and who invited me to join the Parliamentarians Advisory Group to the UNISDR, which led me to a much deeper understanding of the role of Disaster Risk Reduction in building resilience to adversity, whatever the cause.
As Mayor of Christchurch, I would normally be asked to provide a welcome to such an important event as this and to encourage you to enjoy all the intriguing aspects of our ever-evolving city. But I am delighted to be asked to speak at the first plenary session – the Christchurch Story – our response to the 2011 earthquake.