Kia ora tatou Katoa

(Greetings to all)

Honourable Gerry Brownlee , Your worship the Mayor , Mr. Townsend , ladies and gentlemen , good afternoon

Peter thank you for your kind words of welcome , thank you also to the Canterbury Employer's Chamber of Commerce and the Air Force Musuem for hosting us all in this wonderful venue

As you all know , this is Catherine's first visit to New Zealand , and the two of us could not be more grateful for the way in which we have been made to feel so very welcome , there have been many highlights from the past ten days in this beautiful country , Cathrine beating me at sailing does not count amongst them , not for ME anyway

There have been a number of moving reminders this week of harder days in New Zealand's past , particulary poignant during this Centenary year of the start of the Great War , the War Memorials at Blenheim and Cambridge stand in simple tribute to the selflessness to those who have gone before in this great nation , sacrificing all they had for their decendants

Here in Christchurch  , I recall in 2011 hearing first hand about the courage of ordinary members of the public , first responders , the Student Army and many others in the aftermath of the devastating earthquakes , Both Catherine and I have found ourselves moved  this morning by thhe reminders of how awful the second Earthquake was striking as it did out of the blue in the middle of an ordinary day

Something similar has now struck our neighbours in the Solomon Islands , I know that all of you will join with Cathrine and me today in passing on our thoughts and prayers to the people of the Solomon Islands at this very difficult time for them

For you in Christchurch , it is inevitable that , after such a shocking and disruptive experience choices about the way forward will be challenging

Yet , what has struck me on this visit , three years on , is the resilience and adaptability of Christchurch , despite the daunting job ahead of you , life continues with classic Kiwi humour , creativity innovation and determination , Christchurch remains a buzzing thriving city

The reason why the Earthquakes did not defeat Christchurch is because of you and what has united all of you 

Firstly , you have stayed in Christchurch and stood by it , or perhaps you even moved here since the Earthquakes , this is your home 

Secondly , you all care deeply for Christchurch , whether you are members of the Canterbury Employer's Chamber of Commerce or other community or educational organizations , it is clear that you want to do your very best for your city

And thirdly , you believe that Christchurch has a stong future , that it is worth your energy , your investment , your time and your skills , you should be Proud that , because of the undaunted spirit of New Zealanders , Christchurch is a city that has chosen not only to survive but thrive

Cathrine and I look forward to returning to see how this historic yet energetic 21st century  city takes shape , our heartfelt wishes go out to you as you continue on this journey to rebuild Christchurch

Tena Koutou Katoa

(Greetings to you all)

Mr. President

Prince Philip and I are delighted to welcome you and Mrs. Higgins to Windsor Castle

The castle was founded by William the Conqueor almost a thousand years ago , and a thousand years ago this very month , across the Irish sea Brian Boru the most celebrated of Ireland's High King's lost his life at the battle of Clontarf , yet , despite ten centuries of intervening history , Windsor Castle has had to wait  until today to see a formal visit to this country by a Head of State of Ireland

Prince Philip and I recall with great pleasure , We were received warmly where ever We went , Dublin the City of Cork and it's English market , Ireland's historic landmarks like the Rock of Cashel , your peoples famous hospiltality and of course Ireland's thoroughbred horses , all these and much more left a happy and ebduring impression

But even more pleasing since then , is that we , the Irish and British , are becoming good and dependable neighbours and better friends , finally shedding our inhibitions about seeing the best in each other

Our two Governments have responded to the change in mood , we now cooperate across the full range of public business , indeed , there is today no closer working relationship for My Government than that with Ireland

This fresh start is helping  us economically , our trade is growing , supporting many thousands of jobs in both countries , and We are working together to win new business overseas

As our countries enter a period of historical resonance , it is right to look back in remembrence , in Dublin I laid wreaths in the Garden of islandbridge where friend's dead from The Great War are commemorated

In August , We will mark solemnly the Centenary of Britain's entry into to The Great War , calling to mind the terrible toll it took , people from Ireland were involved in all the major campaigns and battles of the war , We will remember and honour their contribution and sacrifice , just as We remember our own

My family and My Government will stand alongside you Mr. President , and your ministers , throughout the Anniversaries of the end of the War and the events that led to tthe creation of the Irish Free State

People have moved freely between these islands over the centuries , Britain has been hugely enriched by the migration of Irishmen and women to these shores

The contribution of Irish people to Britain has reached into every walk of British life , on your visit , you are meeting men and women of Irish decent , in Parliament , in our Universities , in our health service in the civil service , music , faitth , business and sport

And yet , over the years , many Irish migrates to Britian encountered discrimination and lack of appreciation , happily those days are more behind us , and it is widely recognized thet Britain is a better place because of the Irish people who live here , We can celebrate not just the Irish men and women who helped build Britain but also the Irish Architects who helped to design it , including that great architect of Parliamentry reform Daniel O'Connell , whose life and work you will have remembered this afternoon on your visit to Parliament

Mr. president , two years ago , London hosted the Olympic Games , during that magical summer the Games proved to be a remarkable success , surpassing most people's expectations , they also shone a light on the modern links between Britian and Ireland , as Irish companies worked alongside British ones in building the stadiums and running the Games themselves , and it took someone of Irish decent Danny Boyle , to get me to jump from a helicopter

Mr. President , sadly last year We lost the poet Seamus Heaney , whose roots lay in the Northern Irish countryside , his poems written over many decades , reflected the changing circumstances of Northern Ireland , as hope and history jarred and then slowly began to rhyme

I am delighted that last years G8 Summit in the County of Fermanagh and the City culture festival in Derry- Lononderry  showed the very best of Northern Ireland to the world , and We will be recognizing the work of individuals and groups who are helping to bring about further positive change , including the charity cooperation Ireland , of which we are jount patrons , at a reception here on Thursday

Our two governments will continue to work together in Northern Ireland to support the first and deputy first minister and the executive in advance the peace process and to esttablish a shared society based on mutual respect and equality of opportunity

Mr. President , the goal of modern British/Irish relations can be simply stated , it is that we , who inhabit these islands , should live together as neighbours and friends , respectful of each other's nationhood

Soverignty and traditions , cooperating to out mutual benifit , at ease with each other's company

after so much chequred history , the avoidable and regrettable pain of which is still felt by many of us , this goal is now within reach

I started by speaking of ten centuries of histtory , but there is a balance to be struck between looking back at what has happened , and cannot be changed and looking forwward to what could happen , if we have the will and determination to shape it

My visit to Ireland , and your visit this week , Mr. President show that we are working towards a brighter , more settled future , we will remember our past , but we shall no longer allow our past to ensnare our future , this  is the greatest gift we can give to succeding generations

Ladies and Gentlemen , i ask you to rise and drink a toast to the President and Mrs. Higgins and to the health and prosperty of the people of Ireland