the official welcome /Powhiri by Waimakariri led by Kauamata Johno Crofts, a very good introduction ,with singing a Waiata and we the delegation responded with Pokarekare Ana. The gift is an art work from Rik Ryon made of copper from the battlefields and it will be placed in the Marae of Tuahiwi.
A luncheon followed, then onto a tour of the Christchurch Canterbury Museum, Michael Petterson meet them at the 
Henry Nicholas Statue, whilst Jo was trying to sort out what turned out to be a problem but a good problem with the Canterbury Regiment Band. We had been expecting a 5 piece band but what actually turned up was the whole band ...25 in 
total..
Freddy took a large number of the guests for a tour of the exhibition which was very well received.Then the opening.
The Master of Ceremony was Pat Duggan (Canterbury RSA President) he did such a good job. Good speeches by Mayors, Ministers Clayton Cosgrove and Kate Wilkinson..Ingrid and Jo read the poem “The Poppy and the Puhutakawa”, the Band played the specially commissioned piece for the Unknown Soldier...very moving...good food ,good wine and then the exhibition opened. It was a good night….
We had a good mixture of dignitaries including Colonel Tracey, the Captain Director and Dwayne Bloomfield (Conductor NZ Army Band) RSA, Councils, community and family’s.One of the things Jo got wind of here was the visiting interim American Ambassador was giving a special lecture at Our City on the same night and a quick invite went via his staff and Shelly Johnson (Christchurch City International Relationship manager) for him to join us for the special viewing the day after and at the BBC for the reception and the dinner that followed.
Dave Adamson who has been the main driver at Christchurch City Council (and retires this week) presented the delegation with a book of Christchurch. His knowledge of intercity relationships is simply outstanding and Jo has invited him to join the Trust
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