On this eighth anniversary of the February 2011 earthquake I am delighted to see the Christchurch Town Hall restored and open for public viewing this weekend. I was especially moved to see the beautiful Ferrier Fountain in operation once again.

In recent years we have witnessed the rebuild of the fabric of the city with new buildings constructed to join older buildings that have been lovingly restored to even more than their former beauty. I was privileged to bless one of these older works of art as it opened to the public.

Buildings are important. The best of them are not only at the service of the people but by their beauty they lift our minds and hearts above what is simply routine and mundane.

Beautiful buildings, like the Christchurch Town Hall, give us a lift.

Thanks be to God for all those who are labouring to give our city new life through beauty!