Ardern JacindaTUESDAY 23 FEBRUARY 2021The Speaker took the Chair at 2 p.m.Prayers.CHRISTCHURCH EARTHQUAKE OF 22 FEBRUARY 201110th AnniversaryRt Hon JACINDA ARDERN (Prime Minister): I seek leave to move a motion on the 10th anniversary of the Christchurch earthquake.SPEAKER: Leave is sought for that course of action. Is there any objection? There is none.Rt Hon JACINDA ARDERN: I move That this House mark the 10th anniversary of the devastating earthquake of 22 February 2011 that saw the tragic loss of 185 lives and thousands more injured and acknowledge the people of Christchurch and the wider region who'll face the long-term impact of the earthquake.Along with many others in this House I spent yesterday in Christchurch. It was humbling to be amongst people who have been through so much. The earthquake and aftershocks affected people in complex and diverse ways and those impacts are still felt acutely 10 years on. To hear the names of the 185 people who lost their lives read aloud was a stark reminder that 22 February remains one of New Zealand's deadliest disasters. For some of those who lost loved ones the last decade represents a period of grief but also of healing. But for others those 10 years simply signify 10 birthdays 10 Christmases 10 years of special moments without the one they loved. The message yesterday to everyone affected was clear: New Zealand will stand with you for as long as you need us to. The earthquake shook Christchurch and the region and changed that city for ever but it also impacted New Zealand. I remember so clearly how the country threw its support behind Canterbury in the months and years following the quake: raising funds holding tributes downing tools for moments of silence. Everyone felt so keenly the enormity of what had happened. The enormity has not lessened with the passage of time. I'd like to acknowledge in this House as I did yesterday all those who were part of relief efforts on or after 22 February: emergency service staff the Christchurch mayor—who remains in our thoughts—and city councillors Ministers international diplomats and family and friends of all involved. I know we would all wish to acknowledge past and present members of the Quake Families Trust and as I did yesterday I also want to acknowledge the children who lived through the earthquake. This was a cohort left particularly vulnerable who would always grow up in the shadow of that day. We have all worked hard to support them—we had a duty to. In particular over the last three years alongside professionals in Canterbury we created a programme to support the school children in the region who were affected by the earthquakes. We did the same in Kaikōura. That programme so far has helped 4196 tamariki and will now roll out across New Zealand. Out of such a traumatic time for our kids has grown something positive for a whole generation. They have left a legacy. But I hope that no matter where they are or what age they are now they continue to find and have the support they need.Finally I'd like to acknowledge all New Zealand politicians—local council chambers or here in this House—who have worked so hard to support Christchurch over the past 10 years. It has been uncharted territory and everyone—on both sides of this House—did their very best for the city that they loved. It's been a difficult decade for Christchurch. It's taken hits on so many fronts but as we look forward to the coming decade I see hope and I see optimism. We see a city emerging one founded on innovation ideas and creativity. There's a focus on things that matter: people and communities. There are some amazing people in Christchurch doing amazing things. So please keep going. We are with you.SPEAKER: The question is that the motion be agreed to.