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Prime Minister John Key today thanked Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II for her support, through the Queen’s Charitable Trust, of the Christchurch Earthquake Appeal.

“Her Majesty’s charitable trust will be making a monetary donation to the Christchurch Earthquake Appeal, which is a generous and gratefully received measure of support for the people of Christchurch,” says Mr Key.

“I am sure New Zealanders will join me in thanking Her Majesty for her kind support at such a tragic time for the city.”

We are here today to remember the people we have lost, to express our grief and sorrow, and to re-affirm our commitment to this city and to each other.

On the 22nd of February Christchurch experienced an earthquake of such violence that it stole from us the lives of dozens of people, and dramatically altered the lives of tens of thousands more.

All who were caught up in that earthquake, all who have seen the images and read the stories, have been horrified by it its scale and by its callous disregard for so much that we held dear.

Prime Minister John Key today thanked Prince William and Miss Catherine Middleton for their generous support for Christchurch and the West Coast following the tragic events in those areas.

“Prince William’s visit to New Zealand to meet with the families of those lost in November’s Pike River Mine tragedy, and to attend the Christchurch Earthquake Memorial Service, is hugely appreciated by New Zealanders.

I move that this House express its condolences to the people of Japan for the losses they have suffered as a result of the recent earthquake and tsunami.

A magnitude 9.0 earthquake struck northern Japan on Friday the 11th of March at 6.46pm New Zealand time.

The earthquake caused a huge tsunami which has devastated parts of Japan’s north-eastern coast. It was also felt to a lesser extent around the Pacific.

Thousands of people in Japan’s north-east are dead or missing.

The extent of the number of casualties is only just becoming clear.

Prime Minister John Key is welcoming the news that the Australian Governor-General Quentin Bryce, Prime Minister Julia Gillard and Leader of the Opposition Tony Abbott will all attend the Christchurch Earthquake National Memorial Service on Friday.

“This is a heart-warming show of solidarity with New Zealand by the leadership of Australia.

“It is a concrete demonstration of the sentiment Prime Minister Gillard expressed during her visit to New Zealand last month that New Zealand is 'family',” says Mr Key.

Prime Minister John Key today announced that Cabinet has agreed to establish a Royal Commission on the Canterbury Earthquake.

The inquiry will examine issues around the built environment in the Christchurch CBD including, but not limited to, the CTV and PGC buildings, as well as the adequacy of the relevant building codes and standards into the future.

Prime Minister John Key said today New Zealand is sending an Urban Search and Rescue team to Japan following yesterday’s devastating earthquake and tsunami.

“The sympathies of all New Zealanders go out to the Japanese people and Government, who are grappling with this major disaster,” says Mr Key.

“In response, New Zealand is sending a 48-strong Urban Search and Rescue team using a mix of Royal New Zealand Air Force and commercial flights, commencing tonight.”

Prime Minister John Key says he has watched with horror at the scenes of devastation in the wake of the earthquake and tsunami that has struck Japan in the past few hours.

“Our hearts go out to the Japanese Government and its people.

“Japan responded to New Zealand’s own tragic earthquake with enormous support, and we are ready to help our friends in Japan at this time of need in whatever way we can.

“Our deepest sympathies are with those who have been caught up in this most terrible event."

Prime Minister John Key today announced Mark Weldon, Chief Executive of NZX, will spearhead the fundraising efforts of the Government’s Christchurch Earthquake Appeal.

“Mr Weldon has a wealth of experience both in New Zealand and overseas, and has the networks to enable the appeal to be a truly global one,” says Mr Key.

“I’m very pleased Mr Weldon has offered his expertise and donated his time to oversee the Christchurch Earthquake Appeal during its fundraising period.”

Prime Minister John Key is welcoming the news that Prince William is taking time to visit the people of Christchurch as they cope with the tragic aftermath of the February 22 earthquake.

St James’s Palace has announced that Prince William, on behalf of The Queen, will attend the National Memorial Service at North Hagley Park on 18 March. He will also visit Greymouth to speak to the families of the Pike River Mine disaster.

“This is a heart-warming gesture that will mean a lot to the thousands of people whose lives have been forever changed by these events.

On this day two weeks ago, the great city of Christchurch was ripped apart by a devastating earthquake, measuring 6.3 on the Richter scale.

So far it has been confirmed that 166 loved ones have lost their lives, and we are told that the final death toll could be more than 200.

To lose so many people at once, including many foreign nationals, is hard to fathom. It is a tragedy that one cannot put into words.

Prime Minister John Key today welcomed the announcement that the Queen has approved the appointment of Lieutenant General Jerry Mateparae to succeed Sir Anand Satyanand as Governor-General of New Zealand.

“Lieutenant General Jerry Mateparae is a highly regarded leader with a distinguished 38-year military career. He joined the New Zealand Army in 1972, and rose through the ranks, serving and commanding in a wide variety of roles,” says Mr Key.

Prime Minister John Key has announced that a National Memorial Service for the victims of the February 22 earthquake will be held in Christchurch on Friday March 18.

The service, which will be held in North Hagley Park, is being organised by the Christchurch City Council and the Visits and Ceremonial Office with wide consultation from the community and families.

“The service will give people the chance to reflect on the terrible loss of life suffered as a result of the earthquake, and the huge impact it has had on our second largest city.

Prime Minister John Key today congratulated National’s candidate, Jami-Lee Ross, on winning the Botany by-election.

“Mr Ross ran an excellent campaign and thoroughly deserves his victory,” says Mr Key.

“He has long been an advocate for Botany at a local government level, and I am sure his experience will stand him in good stead in Parliament.”

At the time results were announced, Mr Ross had captured around 55 per cent of the vote. Special votes are yet to be counted.

Good afternoon

I thought it appropriate to make some comments to mark the announcement made a short time ago in Christchurch that the rescue phase has come to an end, and that we are now fully in a recovery phase.

This will be a very sad day for the families of those who are missing.

This is also a very sad day for all those involved in the rescue effort, who have worked night and day combing the city valiantly searching for signs of life.

Prime Minister John Key today expressed his sadness at the news that senior Government Minister Simon Power will retire from politics at the election.

“Mr Power is an outstanding Minister and has played a key role in the National-led Government,” says Mr Key.

“He has also been an outstanding Member of Parliament, and representative for the people of Rangitikei, since his election in 1999.

“I am saddened that he will be retiring from politics at the election and he will be a great loss to National.

Prime Minister John Key today announced an initial support package for Christchurch businesses and workers affected by last week’s major earthquake.

The six week package is made up of two parts:

Prime Minister John Key today launched the Christchurch Earthquake Appeal, a global fundraiser for the recovery effort in the city and the Canterbury region.

“It’s vital we reach as many people throughout the world as possible who want to help. This isn’t just New Zealand’s tragedy – the February 22 earthquake affected countless people internationally.

Prime Minister John Key has asked that all of New Zealand observes two minutes’ silence for the victims of Canterbury’s devastating 6.3 magnitude earthquake.

“This may be New Zealand’s single most tragic event.

“I am calling on all New Zealanders to stop and remember those who have lost their lives, those who are missing, and the hundreds of people who are mourning family and friends.”

The quake struck on Tuesday 22 February 2011 at 12.51pm.

Prime Minister John Key today reallocated some Ministerial portfolio responsibilities, for the foreseeable future, to allow Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee to focus solely on overseeing earthquake recovery.

New Zealanders have woken to a tragedy unfolding in the great city of Christchurch.

The earthquake that struck the Canterbury region at ten to one yesterday has wreaked death and destruction on a dreadful scale.

There is no reason that can make sense of this event.

No words that can spare our pain.

We are witnessing the havoc caused by a violent and ruthless act of nature.

Many people have lost their lives. Families have lost their cherished loved ones. Mates have lost their mates.

These deaths are the greatest loss.

Forum Co-Chairs. Ambassadors. Ladies and gentlemen.

Kia ora and good morning.

It’s great to be here and to welcome you to the fantastic city that I grew up in.

I’d particularly like to welcome our US guests and thank you for travelling to join us for this forum.

It’s always great to have our friends from across the Pacific paying a visit and I know that some of you travel here regularly.

As you will know, Christchurch and the wider Canterbury region were shaken by a powerful 7.1 magnitude earthquake six months ago.

This is a very special day for the New Zealand Parliament.

Prime Minister Gillard, New Zealand acknowledges and welcomes you as the first foreign leader to address the members of our House of Representatives.

It is entirely fitting that an Australian Prime Minister is the first leader to have this honour.

This is also a sad day for the New Zealand Parliament.

Today we acknowledge with great sadness the loss of a New Zealand soldier in Afghanistan, Private Kirifi Mila, as the result of a motor vehicle accident.