Christchurch Civic Offices opening

I begin by greeting everyone in the languages of the realm of New Zealand, in English, Māori, Cook Island Māori, Niuean, Tokelauan and New Zealand Sign Language.   Greetings, Kia Ora, Kia Orana, Fakalofa Lahi Atu, Taloha Ni and as it is the morning  (Sign)

I then specifically greet you: Your Worship Bob Parker, Mayor of Christchurch and your fellow councillors; Tony Marryatt, Christchurch City Council chief executive and members of your staff; Anake Goodall, Chief executive of Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu; Minister of the Crown, Hon David Carter and fellow Members of Parliament, Hon Jim Anderton, Hon Lianne Dalziel, Nicky Wagner, Aaron Gilmore and Amy Adams; Distinguished Guests otherwise; Ladies and Gentlemen.

It was with much pleasure that my wife Susan and I accepted the invitation to attend the opening of the Christchurch City Council’s new Civic Offices.  I have been asked to officially open this new complex, but before I do I would like to comment on its significance.

I first want to acknowledge the wero from Ngāi Tahu.  It was an honour to deliver my Waitangi Day address at Ōnuku Marae earlier this year and I thank you for your welcome this morning.   Tenei te mihi atu.

Opening new buildings is an established part of the Governor-General role.  In recent times I have had the privilege of opening, for example, new civic facilities for the Franklin District Council in Pukekohe and for the neighbouring Selwyn District Council at Leeston.  In addition to many new education and sporting facilities, I there also arose the pleasure of opening Wellington’s new regional hospital in Newtown last year.

The opening of these Civic Offices, however, speaks of more than merely bricks and mortar.  At a business level, it emphasises innovation and an expectation of improved service.

On that score, I understand this complex brings together staff who hither to have been spread over five sites.  Bringing Council’s affairs under one roof should result in efficiencies and provide rate payers and residents with enhanced access to council services. 

I have been interested to be told of this building including a host of environmentally sustainable features.  With the building creating its own electricity by burning biogas from the council landfill and harvesting of rainwater to flush toilets, it is not surprising that it has been awarded the highest possible six-star rating by the New Zealand Green Building Council.   I therefore want to add congratulations to everyone from the Council, its architects and the contractors for their work in bringing the project to fruition.

This civic centre also speaks of history and heritage.  Christchurch became the first New Zealand settlement to be accorded city status when it received a Royal Charter in 1856, with the first meeting of the Christchurch Municipal Council in 1862.

These premises will form the fifth home for the successor to that first Council.  It seems equally fitting, in terms of history, that these offices, like most of the Council’s previous homes,  has been adapted from an existing building.  That the decision to renovate the former mail centre has been the subject of much community debate underpins a healthy democracy and is to be welcomed on that account.

This area, however, was settled long before the first settlers’ ships arrived in 1850,  with Ngāi Tahu having lived here for a considerable time beforehand.   The Crown’s subsequent dealings with Ngāi Tahu, after the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi at Ōnuku Marae, as I have mentioned, in 1840, however, resulted in the tribe becoming almost landless and in the 1990s the Waitangi Tribunal recommended significant compensation.  The resolution of those grievances in 1998 has seen Ngāi Tahu become a key player in the economy of the South Island.  The iwi has undertaken many initiatives to regenerate its culture and to improve the health and educational opportunities for its people which many New Zealanders have had cause to admire.

It thus seems rather fitting that 160 years after the first British settlers arrived here, that those two strands of heritage should come together in this facility as a joint venture between Ngāi Tahu and the Council.   

In conclusion, the Christchurch City Council Civic Offices speak of modernity, but also of history, heritage and partnership.   As the Council’s Latin motto—Fide condita, fructu beata, spe fortis—so aptly emphasises, this is indeed a city founded in faith, rich in the fulfilment of it, and strong in its hope for the future.  Long may it remain so.  Congratulations again to everyone involved in bringing these new Civic Offices to fruition.

And on that note I will close in Māori, offering everyone greetings and wishing you all good health and fortitude in your endeavours.   No reira, tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou, kia ora, kia kaha, tēnā koutou katoa.