Canterbury Earthquakes Royal Commission Te Komihana Rūwhenua o Waitaha Canterbury Earthquakes Royal Commission – Te Komihana Rūwhenua o Waitaha

Those who lost relatives and friends in the 22 February earthquake can be assured that there will be a very thorough inquiry into the failure of buildings that resulted in loss of life.
Chair, Justice Mark Cooper
 

Hearings Opening Programme 17 October 2011

A simple hearings opening ceremony was held on 17 October 2011 at St Teresa's church hall on the corner of Puriri Street and Riccarton Road, Riccarton in Christchurch. Watch the video.

Time
1pm
  • Welcome with prayers/karakia delivered by Reverend Gray of Ngai Tahu and Father Antoine Thomas of St Teresa's parish. The St Teresa's school Kapa Haka group will also deliver a hymn and the choir will sing an Irish blessing.
1.25pm
  • Light lunch/afternoon tea
2.30pm
  • Welcome by Commission chairperson Justice Mark Cooper
 
  • Delivery of Justice Cooper's welcome in Japanese, Mandarin, Thai, Tagalog, Korean, Hebrew, Taiwanese, Malay and Turkish by volunteers who have supported the New Zealand Police, Coroner's Office and Commission with their interactions with international bereaved families
 
  • Reading of the names of the 182 people killed in the 22 February 2011 earthquake by Marcus Elliott, Counsel Assisting with a special focus on bereaved families and injured people
 
  • Two minutes silence