| Canterbury Earthquake Commemoration Day Act | |
|---|---|
 | |
| New Zealand Parliament | |
| Royal assent | 14 March 2011 |
| Commenced | 15 March 2011 |
| Legislative history | |
| Introduced by | HonKate Wilkinson |
| Passed | 10 March 2011 |
| Status: Expired | |
TheCanterbury Earthquake Commemoration Day Act 2011 is anAct of Parliament passed into law in New Zealand in 2011. It created a one-off public holiday in parts ofCanterbury to commemorate the effects of the Canterbury earthquakes, starting with the first shock on4 September 2010, but in particular the aftershock on22 February 2011 that killed 185 people.[1][2]
The bill was introduced by HonKate Wilkinson asMinister of Labour on behalf of the government, and it had all three readings on 10 March 2011; just over two weeks since the earthquake that caused the government to draft the bill.[1][3] Members who gave speeches in the first reading were Kate Wilkinson (National),Annette King (Labour),Judith Collins (National),Trevor Mallard (Labour),Keith Locke (Greens),Te Ururoa Flavell (Māori),Jo Goodhew (National),Darien Fenton (Labour),Tau Henare (National),Charles Chauvel (Labour), andDavid Bennett (National). Members who gave speeches in the second reading were Wilkinson, Mallard,Allan Peachey (National),Maryan Street (Labour), Locke,Michael Woodhouse (National), Fenton,Nikki Kaye (National), Chauvel, andColin King (National). Members who gave speeches in the third reading were Wilkinson, Mallard,Hekia Parata (National), Locke, and Flavell.[3] Parliament passed the bill unanimously.[4]
The public holiday, set for 18 March 2011, was "to be observed in those parts of Canterbury that observeChristchurch Show Day asCanterbury Anniversary Day for the purposes of theHolidays Act 2003". The rationale for such a complicated definition is thatSouth Canterbury observes its provincial holiday on a different day (Dominion Day) and as it was not significantly affected by the earthquake, the public holiday was not to apply there. There was discussion whetherKaikōura should join in with the celebrations or not. The town had originally belonged toMarlborough Province and for this historic reason, it observes the Marlborough Anniversary Day. Following boundary adjustments in 1992, Kaikōura is located within the area covered by theCanterbury Regional Council, and many residents feel a stronger connection toChristchurch than toBlenheim, the main city in Marlborough. TheKaikōura District Council discussed the situation and confirmed that, in accordance with the legislation, the public holiday would not apply in their town.[4]
18 March 2011, a Friday, was set for the commemoration. Schools and offices were closed, and the formal event was held inNorth Hagley Park. Overseas dignitaries at the event includedPrince William (who representedthe Queen),[5]Julia Gillard (Prime Minister of Australia),Tony Abbott (Leader of theOpposition in Australia), andQuentin Bryce (Governor-General of Australia).[6]
The act expired at the end of 18 March 2011, the date of the commemoration.[3]