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Good morning and thank you for the opportunity to speak to you today.

I would like to acknowledge my Parliamentary colleague the Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs Hon Paul Goldsmith; Insurance Council of New Zealand (ICNZ) President Chris Black; Council members and the other speakers today.

Over the past five years New Zealanders have seen the massive value of having insurance against natural disaster damage.

Associate Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Minister Nicky Wagner has welcomed the addition of a literary trail to Te Papa Ōtākaro/Avon River Precinct.

The installation of the first literary panels has begun at The Terraces, a key attraction of the precinct. The panels display excerpts from works by prominent authors Apirana Taylor, John Deans, Wiremu Te Uki and David Eggleton.

“The words are etched onto the steps that lead down to the river’s edge, celebrating both the Ōtākaro/Avon River and Christchurch’s rich literary history,” Ms Wagner says.

Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee says plans released today for the South Frame public spaces give a more visual idea of how the central city will link up using a new green-way connection.

“The South Frame is the part of the city blueprint which joins the Health Precinct to the Innovation Precinct,” Mr Brownlee says.

“It will feature an urban neighbourhood with a leafy campus-style design.”

Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee has announced Ross Butler as the establishment chair for a new Crown company that will take over development functions from the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority.

Mr Butler’s appointment to the role of the as-yet unnamed company follows the introduction of the Greater Christchurch Regeneration Bill to Parliament last week, and the release of the Transition Recovery Plan laying out future arrangements for the city.

Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee has today formally opened Christchurch’s new $53 million Bus Interchange, with the unveiling of a plaque to mark the occasion.

“As the first Government-led anchor project to be completed in the central city, the official opening of this facility takes us another step towards the modern, easy to navigate city that has been envisaged,” Mr Brownlee says.

Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee has today released the finalised plan that sets out the path to the regeneration of Christchurch.

The Transition Recovery Plan details arrangements to be put in place when the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority (CERA) ends in April next year, including the move to local leadership, ongoing co-operation between central and local government, where functions carried out by CERA will go, a new monitoring regime, and new legislation to ensure momentum is maintained.

Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee says interest is now being sought through the Government Electronic Tender Service (GETS) website from contractors wanting to be involved in planning the build of Christchurch’s Metro Sports Facility.

“This Early Contractor Involvement (ECI) role is an opportunity for contractors with suitable experience to work with the Government and Christchurch City Council to plan the design and build of what will be a multi-generational asset for the city,” Mr Brownlee says.

Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee says today marks a significant step in the regeneration of greater Christchurch, with the introduction of legislation to replace the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Act 2011.

“The new Greater Christchurch Regeneration Bill will enable the Government to work in unique collaboration with local leadership organisations to ensure regeneration of the region beyond emergency response and recovery, with a clear future focus,” Mr Brownlee says.

“It will receive its first reading on Thursday.

Associate Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Minister Nicky Wagner today announced artwork for two landscape elements in Te Papa Ōtākaro/Avon River Precinct.

“The installation of the exciting new art in the Story Arc and Ngā Whāriki Manaaki will continue to add to the Precinct’s vibrancy,” Ms Wagner says.

Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee says the last of over 300 relocations of Crown-owned houses from the flat land residential red zone marks a significant milestone in the clearance of this vast area of greater Christchurch.

“The final two Crown-owned houses have this week been transported from Burwood to Rangiora’s Ashley Village, where new foundations had already been laid for them,” Mr Brownlee says.

“They will now be transformed and on-sold by the private developer who purchased them.

Associate Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Minister Nicky Wagner has today released the approved restoration plan for Christchurch’s beloved Victoria Square.

Plan changes affecting property owners as a consequence of future coastal hazard issues are to be dealt with as part of Christchurch City Council’s normal planning processes, Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee, Associate Minister Nicky Wagner and Environment Minister Dr Nick Smith announced today with Christchurch Mayor Lianne Dalziel. 

The Crown and Christchurch City Council have signalled a new era in central and local government relations with the development of a joint entity to drive the city's regeneration.

The Minister for Canterbury Earthquake Recovery, Gerry Brownlee, and the Mayor of Christchurch, Lianne Dalziel, today outlined plans to establish Regenerate Christchurch - a joint entity tasked with overseeing the long term development and enhancement of the Central City, residential red zone, New Brighton and other potential regeneration zones.

Associate Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Minister Nicky Wagner today released the Masterplan for Ōtākaro Art by the River, which includes STAY, a sculpture by renowned sculptor Antony Gormley.

“Ōtākaro Art by the River will be a unique trail of artworks sited along the Ōtākaro/Avon River that will help to restore and enhance the existing character of the river that Christchurch knows and loves,” Ms Wagner says.

Associate Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Minister Nicky Wagner says a proposed new museum, hosting the Ravenscar Collections of art, sculpture and antiquities will bring visitors to Christchurch city.

“The Ravenscar House Museum is a welcome new development for Christchurch. This significant collection of New Zealand art will be housed in Christchurch’s Cultural Precinct and will attract visitors to the city,” Ms Wagner says.

Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee says proposals are now being sought from design firms interested in being part of the development of Christchurch’s Metro Sports Facility.

Tenders have today been released on the Government Electronic Tenders Service (GETS) website seeking proposals for architectural design services and multi-disciplinary engineering design services for the key anchor project.

Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee has directed that a Recovery Plan be prepared for the future use of the residential red zones in the Waimakariri District.

“I have asked the Waimakariri District Council to prepare a draft of that plan which will identify the intended long-term uses of the residential red zone in the Waimakariri district,” Mr Brownlee says.

Good afternoon.

Thank you Jim for that warm welcome and for the New Zealand Council for Infrastructure Development’s hosting of this event.

Your invitation to address the Building Nations Symposium 2015 is both welcome and opportune.

Can I start by acknowledging Stephen Selwood, Mayor Lianne Dalziel and other local body representatives here today from around the region. 

Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee says he’s very pleased to announce the second and final stage of Christchurch’s new $53 million Bus Interchange is now complete and open to the public.

“This second stage opening marks the physical completion of the first of the Government-led anchor projects in the central city,” Mr Brownlee says.

“It includes an extended airport-style passenger lounge area, and a further eight bus bays bringing the total to 16 bays, as well as a secure bicycle lock-up area for cyclists.

Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee is inviting public comment on a draft recovery plan for the damaged Lyttelton Port and its surrounding area.

The Draft Lyttelton Port Recovery Plan will be publicly notified and available on Saturday, and feedback is due by 5pm on Monday 31 August 2015.  While the focus of the draft plan is the rebuild and repair of Lyttelton Port following the earthquakes, it also takes into account the effect of the work on the Lyttelton and greater Christchurch communities.

Associate Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Minister Nicky Wagner says it is encouraging to see the many signs of progress leading to people’s recovery as the fifth anniversary of the September 2010 earthquake approaches.

Findings from the latest Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority Wellbeing Survey and Canterbury Wellbeing Index show increasing numbers of greater Christchurch residents feel positive about their lives and feel a stronger personal commitment to the region.

Associate Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Minister Nicky Wagner welcomes a report on the work and achievements of the Community Forum.

“The Community Forum was established in 2011 to advise the Minister for Canterbury Earthquake Recovery and plays a crucial role in the recovery of greater Christchurch, Ms Wagner says.

“The Forum provides active community input into decision-making at the highest level while moving the recovery forward.

Cabinet has agreed funding parameters that will ensure Christchurch’s Metro Sports Facility is a multi-generational asset that meets the needs of Canterbury’s diverse elite, competitive and leisure sports sectors, Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee says.

Associate Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Minister Nicky Wagner has welcomed the overwhelmingly positive response to the draft restoration plan for Victoria Square.

Almost 2200 people shared their thoughts in the first round of feedback, and around 350 residents submitted input on the Draft Victoria Square Restoration Plan over the past two weeks. This was the third stage in a six month public engagement campaign on the future design of the space.