Wagner Nicky: General Debate 
Wagner Nicky: General Debate 
[Volume:666;Page:13989] 
NICKY WAGNER (National) 
: 
 It has been a really tough time for Cantabrians. From 4 September the earthquake has changed everything. The world as we knew it has come to a shattering halt but very soon the state of emergency will be lifted and we will begin the restoration and rebuilding phase. This earthquake was a crisis of massive proportions but with crisis comes opportunity. Cantabrians who responded so magnificently to the crisis must dig even deeper now and seize the opportunity to rebuild our infrastructure our communities and our quality of life. I have lived in Christchurch all my life. I love the city and I know that if we work together we can make it even better yet. Like a phoenix—like Napier—Christchurch too can rise from the rubble in a new more beautiful form. 
When the early settlers came to Christchurch they came with the dream of creating the perfect society. They modelled it on Victorian values and English towns but they did a pretty good job. The layout is simple and works well even today. Some of their original beautiful buildings such as Christchurch Cathedral the provincial chambers and the arts centre are still here. Those places are living testimony to our appreciation of historic buildings and to the dollars spent on earthquake strengthening. 
But the early settlers did not get everything right. They often used the old existing English plans but in the Southern Hemisphere the windows all face the wrong way. They made no attempt to build to our landscape or to our climate or to accommodate a different way of life. This time when we rebuild we can use local knowledge and have the experience of hindsight and a vision for the future. 
That day 4 September was an important day for Christchurch before the earthquake. It was the day that Christchurch people were invited into Te Hononga—the new Christchurch Civic Centre. The opening did not happen but the building is still there “shaken but not stirred”. It is a great example of what the people of Christchurch can achieve in our rebuild. It is a recycled building. Architect Ian Athfield has reused the best from the past—the bulk the size the strength of the old Post Office centre has been reconfigured for modern use. It is a thoughtful building; it reflects its function as a place to bring people together and its ownership structure. Te Hononga means “the joining”. The building is a partnership between Ngai Tahu and the city council and it is an inspirational place of light of space and of art that reflects the people who meet and work there. It is a high-tech well-engineered building. It contains all the latest technology to enhance the capacity of people and to improve productivity. It is a great place to work and in great places one gets great work. It is an environmentally friendly building with a record six-star eco-rating. It captures its water uses waste gas for heating and is energy-efficient. 
Those are the values that must underpin the new Christchurch. We must use the best from the past but reconfigure it for the future. We must utilise the latest technology to enhance productivity and strengthen our economy. We must be environmentally friendly to ensure long-term sustainability for our city. Most important our city must provide a great quality of life for our people especially the next generation so that they will want to make Christchurch their home. Christchurch is a beautiful city it is a great city and it is the responsibility of all our citizens to seize this hard-earned opportunity and work positively together to build a better and brighter future for Christchurch. Thank you.