Christchurch and Canterbury Earthquake Anniversary

To mark the first anniversary of the devastating 22 February earthquake, the Governor-General of New Zealand, Lt Gen The Rt Hon Sir Jerry Mateparae, and Lady Janine Mateparae, spent three days in Christchurch and Canterbury.

The visit began on 21 February with a formal welcome to the region by Ngāi Tahu at Rehua Marae. Following that, Sir Jerry Mateparae and Lady Janine visited the innovative Cashel Street Mall, almost entirely constructed with shipping containers. In the evening, Sir Jerry Mateparae and Lady Janine attended the dedication and unveiling of a memorial for the unidentified and unfound victims of the earthquake at Avonhead Park Cemetery.

On the morning of February 22, Sir Jerry Mateparae and Lady Janine attended a Mihi Whakatau at Latimer Square in Christchurch to acknowledge the local and overseas families in attendance who lost loved ones. Sir Jerry Mateparae and Lady Janine then visited Christchurch Hospital to acknowledge the contribution of health professionals in the immediate aftermath of the earthquake, and in the time since.

At the Christchurch Civic Memorial Service, to mark the first anniversary of the 22 February Earthquake, Sir Jerry Mateparae delivered a message from the Prince of Wales and gave an address. At the Christchurch Earthquake Awards which followed, Sir Jerry Mateparae presented the Royal Humane Society of New Zealand Gold Medal to Christchurch Mayor, Bob Parker, on behalf of all of those who risked their lives to rescue others on 22 February 2011.

On the evening of 22 February, Sir Jerry Mateparae and Lady Janine attended a community barbeque for emergency service personnel and their families.

On 23 February, the final day of the visit, Sir Jerry Mateparae officially opened the new Preparatory School at St Andrews College in Papanui. Following this, Sir Jerry Mateparae and Lady Janine were officially welcomed to Burnham Military Camp with a pōwhiri. Sir Jerry Mateparae then met with Officers and Soldiers who have assisted during the past year, in Christchurch and Canterbury, in many different ways.

Media Links

21 February
Ngāi Tahu Welcome at Rehua Marae
Speech
Photographs
Cashel Street Mall
Photographs
Dedication and Unveiling of the Avonhead Park Memorial
Photographs

22 February
Visit to Christchurch Hospital
Photographs
Christchurch Civic Memorial Service 
Speech
Photographs 
Earthquake Awards Ceremony
Speech
Photographs
Emergency Services BBQ
Speech
Photographs

23 February
Official opening of the new Preparatory School at St Andrews College
Speech
Photographs
Visit to Burnham Military Camp
Photographs