Motions — Christchurch and Selwyn Districts—Fires

on behalf of the Minister of Civil Defence: I seek leave to move a motion without notice on the fires in Christchurch and Selwyn.

💬 Mr SPEAKER: Is there any objection to that course of action being followed? There is none.

Hon AMY ADAMS I wish to inform the House that the significant fires in the Christchurch and Selwyn districts, which started on Monday, 13 February, increased in severity overnight across the Port Hills. A state of local emergency over the areas affected was declared at 5 past 6 on Wednesday evening.

Firstly, can we send our deepest sympathies to the family of helicopter pilot Mr Steven Askin, who tragically lost his life fighting the blaze. Mr Askin gave outstanding service to his country over his life, and I know that he will be greatly missed. I also want to acknowledge the front-line crews of emergency services, who are doing an outstanding job as they work to contain the fire and protect public property in difficult conditions, and, of course, the many volunteers who are supporting them.

This morning the Prime Minister, the Minister of Civil Defence, and the Director of Civil Defence Emergency Management, Sarah Stuart-Black, visited some of the affected areas and emergency operation centres. The Ministry of Civil Defence has been actively monitoring the situation in the emergency National Crisis Management Centre.

The Port Hills fires are being fought on three fronts: Early Valley Road, Worsleys Road, and Governors Bay. The estimated area of the fire is now in excess of 2,000 hectares. The fire is extremely intense, and is particularly challenging to contain because of the steep terrain, high levels of highly combustible vegetation in the area, particularly limited access, challenging wind direction, and the location near to urban areas. The geography and access has meant that the fire is largely only able to be fought aerially.

Evacuations have been continuing as the fires burn. At last update 450 properties had been officially evacuated on the Port Hills, areas around Victoria Park, Dyers Pass Road, Worsleys Road, in Westmorland, and Kennedys Bush, in particular. Most people are staying with family and friends. It is certainly heart-warming to see New Zealanders looking after each other. People were supported by Civil Defence Emergency Management overnight and civil defence centres are open for those who need assistance. There have been homes that have been damaged by the fire, and the extent of the damage is still being assessed, although it is fair to say that the damage and the number of homes affected would be considerably greater if it was not for the tremendous work of those fighting the fire.

I know you will join me in expressing that our thoughts are with all of those affected by the emergency. The Government stands committed and ready to provide whatever resources are needed to assist the local response. A number of agencies are working together to fight the blaze and support the community: rural fire authorities across the South Island, the New Zealand Fire Service, the New Zealand Defence Force, the New Zealand Police, Civil Defence, and private aircraft and heavy machinery operators. Everyone is working hard to make sure the people affected by the fires are kept safe, and communities and emergency services receive the support they need.

Our No. 1 priority is, of course, ensuring the safety and well-being of the public and the emergency responders. People should keep themselves up to date with the latest news through the Christchurch City Council, Civil Defence’s social media and website, or Selwyn District Council’s information line. It is imperative that members of the public keep away from the affected areas of the hills.

Labour supports the Government’s motion. I know that this is a very small action that we can take, as compared with the work on the ground by so many people in Christchurch, but it is to show our support and solidarity across the House. This House and the people of New Zealand will be feeling for the residents of Christchurch. As if they have not faced enough in recent years with the devastating earthquakes, there is now a deadly blaze spanning 1,800 hectares, with no let-up in sight. We are told that nearly a dozen homes have been burnt, and we do not know how many have been damaged. Hundreds of residents have been evacuated from their homes, and the strengthening winds—that old nor’wester they get down there in Canterbury—are likely to fan the fire and drive the front closer to residential areas. Obviously, all efforts are being put into directing the fire away, but it must be directed towards saving lives and people as a priority.

This is a city that is already in a state of anxiety, and, as one person said as they watched their house burn down, it is gutting. There are only 6 days before the anniversary of the 22 February earthquake, and that is a time that is now bringing back those bad memories—the deep sadness at the loss of life and of their beautiful city as they knew it. I know that we feel deeply for them.

I too want to thank the emergency services who are bravely fighting the fire, those who are going door to door to alert people, and those who are providing advice, shelter, and food. We know that they will be increasingly becoming tired and stressed themselves, and they deserve all the support and encouragement that we can give them—the firefighters, those from the Department of Conservation, territorial authorities, volunteers, and the police patrols, who are working around the clock. It is great to know that in true Kiwi style other regions are pitching in to help, and additional firefighters and helicopters are coming in, we are told, from Nelson and from Timaru. At this stage something like 15 helicopters and planes are in the air—the maximum that you can have in safety.

I agree with the Minister that it is tragic that one life has already been lost: Steve Askin, killed when his helicopter crashed when he was fighting the Port Hills fire. We also extend our deepest sympathy to his wife, Elizabeth, his children, and his extended family, and we can only hope that no more lives will be lost.

This is not the time to look at the whys and hows. That needs to come at a later date. Next week we need a real assessment as to what services and support the people will need—the people who have suffered. There should be no delay in Government support, particularly for those who might need mental health services, and we will back whatever support is needed. I know that our Labour members of Parliament in those electorates are already on the ground, and they will be contacting their schools and their community organisations to see how they are coping and how they can help. It is now a time for us to do all we can to support the people of Christchurch. There will be a time to see how another such tragedy can be avoided.

The Green Party would like to support the Government’s motion, and we express our sympathies and offer our support to people who have lost their homes or who have been otherwise affected by the Christchurch fires. We also want to acknowledge the incredible emergency services personnel: firefighters, helicopter pilots, police, Defence Force, Christchurch City and Selwyn District Councils, the civil defence staff, and volunteers who have been working around the clock to control the fires.

I would particularly like to acknowledge the helicopter pilot, David Steven Askin, who lost his life while working to protect the city and its residents, and to extend our deepest condolences to his loved ones. The commitment and the courage of the helicopter pilots, the firefighters, and support personnel, who are working incredibly long hours under horrendous conditions to try to contain the fire and to protect homes and people, are extraordinary. I would also like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the media, who have been working hard to keep residents informed about the situation through their channels as well. Our colleague, Christchurch-based MP Eugenie Sage, has been visiting welfare and emergency management services in Christchurch City and talking to civil defence and other volunteers. She has told us this morning that she has found it very heartening to see just how well organised those centres are on incredibly short notice.

It is once again a deeply unsettling and uncertain time in Christchurch. The city has been through so much over the course of the last decade and it is absolutely heartbreaking to see people experiencing trauma and loss all over again. Cantabrians have had to build resilience and a community spirit to get them through the last few years, and once again we are seeing that come to the fore.

It is obviously tremendously frightening for residents to watch the glow of the fire on the hills at night and to see those brave people in helicopters disappearing into the huge plumes of smoke to subdue the flames. Many in the city will be feeling the uncertainty and the anxiety that comes with an emergency of this nature, so it is a good time to reach out to neighbours, to work colleagues, and to anyone who may be feeling vulnerable or anxious. The community support and the kindness of residents and strangers was an enormous help in the aftermath of the earthquakes; it will be, once again, in helping the city to recover from this emergency. Kia kaha, Christchurch.

It is a privilege to rise on behalf of New Zealand First in support of the Minister’s motion, and to endorse and support all of the comments made by the previous speakers from the various political parties who have spoken thus far. It is our party’s desire that we express, along with the Parliament, our solidarity with the people of Christchurch, especially the families of those first respondents who are in the field doing their duty right now.

To the brave men and women of the various fire services involved: we thank you. To the police officers who are involved in protecting life and, might I say, dealing sometimes with the frustrations with those who would, for no other purpose than to go somewhere to have a look, jeopardise not only their own lives but the lives of their children when they take them on such bizarre sightseeing trips—to those police officers who are dealing with these issues day by day, hour by hour: we thank you very much and we recognise that sometimes your job is very difficult.

I had a conversation with a very senior veteran firefighter prior to coming to the House. I think some of the comments that he made need to be said here. There is much that has already been said in commentary about what could or should have happened, but, to reinforce the words of the Mayor, Lianne Dalziel, this is not the time for those conversations. Those conversations will come.

As far as the firefighters on the ground are concerned, this is something that they have never seen, and this firefighter said to me—and he has been a veteran of Australian bushfires, a veteran urban search and rescue firefighter who has operated internationally. He said that in the 38 years he has served, he has never seen anything like this. The difficult terrain, the gullies, the wind shifts, the climate, the weather, and the terrain have all combined to produce something, as he said, that is very, very unique, and it is testing and challenging even those amongst them who have seen it all before. In his words: “This is unique. Let’s deal with what we have to deal with. Let’s pray that no one else is injured or dies, and thank God that whilst we lost 11 homes we saved another seven.”

I want to now pay homage to Corporal David Steven Askin, New Zealand SAS and recipient of a New Zealand Gallantry Star. On behalf of the people who know him, might I read this poem, which I know they are all familiar with. This is for Steve and his family and his former colleagues from the New Zealand SAS.

Go as a Pilgrim and seek out danger

Far from the comfort and well lit avenues of life.

Pit your soul against the unknown,

And seek stimulation in the company of the brave.

Experience cold and hunger, heat and thirst,

And survive to see another challenge and another dawn.

Only then will you be at peace with yourself

And be able to know—and say

‘I looked down on the farthest side of the mountain

And, fulfilled and understanding all,

Am truly content I lived a life that was my own.’

We are the Pilgrims, master; we shall go

Always a little further; it may be

Beyond that last blue mountain barred with snow

Across that angry or that glimmering sea.

Thank you.

Tēnā koe, Mr Speaker, kia ora tātau katoa. Hei whaiwhai haere i te kōrero o tēnei nā me tana kupu kōrero ki te hunga kua ngaro atu, ka tautoko ake. Tautoko ake i te tangi ki tērā i mate nā runga i te āhuatanga o tana hiahia ki te āwhina i te hunga e rongo nei i te ngau o tēnei o ngā aituā ēngari, ka tangi ake ki te ia o te kōrero, te wairua o te kōrero kua puta i tērā o ngā mema o Te Pāti a New Zealand First, ka tangi ake, ka mihi ki a koe mō tērā korero. Me te kī atu ki tērā o ngā mate: “Haere koe, haere koutou, te hunga mate ki te hunga mate.” Anei tātau e hui nei i tēnei ahiahi, tēnā tātau katoa.

Ēhara i te mea he nui ngā kōrero hei whakawhānui atu i te āhuatanga o te kōrero kua puta i tēnei ahiahi, ā, kua whakapuakinahia e Te Minita, i te kōrero mō te taha ki Te Kāwanatanga. Ko tātau tātau e kōrero nei mō te āhuatanga o tēnei o ngā aituā nui, e aroha atu ana ki te hunga i kitea i runga i te pouaka whakaata i te ata nei. Ka titiro ki tō rātau whare, ā, kua tahuna ki te ahi, ko tā rātau noa iho he tangi, he tangi, he tangi, nā runga i te āhua o te mamae kua tau ki runga i a rātou. Nō reira, kua kōrerohia kētia ērā kōrero, ko tāku ko te kī atu, ā, tēnā, mā wai rātau e tiaki ā muri ake nei? I tēnei rā, mēnā ka kite koe i te āhuatanga o tō whare, ka ngaro i te āhuatanga o ngā matikuku o Mahuika, he rā anō āpōpō, ātahi rā, ā, ā ngā rā kai mua i te aroaro.

Nō reira, koinei te tono atu ki ngā mea o roto o te kaupapa o Whānau Ora, kia whakapiri atu, kia whakatata atu enei, ki ēnei tangata. Pēnei i te rū i ngā tau kua hipa ake ki runga o Kaikōura, ki Ōtautahi tonu, arā anō ngā mamaetanga, ngā uauatanga ka puta, kaua āpōpō ēngari, ā ngā wiki, ā ngā marama kai mua i te aroaro, kai reira tonu. Ka kite i te mamaetanga, kaua i tēnei rā tonu nei i tōna kotahi, kāo, ēngari, ā ngā rā kai mua i te aroaro.

Nō reira, he īnoi noa atu ki ngā ringa raupā, ki ngā ringa āwhina o ngā tari o Te Kāwanatanga, ka mutu, o ngā mea e whiwhi nei i tētahi pūtea Kāwanatanga, ko te hunga anō hoki o roto hapori, kia whakatata atu ki te hunga e rongo nei i te āhuatanga o te mamae, o ngā pēhitanga kua tau ki runga i a rātau. Me taku kī atu, hei whaiwhai haere i te kōrero o tēnei o ngā hoa o roto i Te Whare Pāremata o Te Kākāriki: “Ōtautahi, tū māia, tū kaha, tū mataara ā ngā rā kai mua i te aroaro.”

[Thank you, Mr Speaker, and salutations to us all. As a means of following the address of this one in regard to his tributes to those who have gone, I truly endorse those tributes. I endorse the grief for that one who has passed away under the circumstances in terms of his desire to help those affected by this one of the calamities but I really mourn the cadence and spirituality of the tribute expressed by that one of the members of the New Zealand First Party, I truly grieve and commend for that tribute. I say to that one of those who has died: “You go forth; you, collectively, go forth, the dead to the dead!” And so here we are assembled here this afternoon, my accolades to us all.

It is not as though I have much more to say to elaborate on what has emerged in the contributions this afternoon, the Minister has disclosed what the Government has to do. We are here expressing our personal views in regard to this one of the huge calamities; I empathise with those ones who were seen on television this morning. They looked at their house being consumed by fire and all they could do was to cry, grieve, and weep because of the nature of the hurt that had descended upon them. Consequently, those stories were related and I would merely say: who will look after them after this? Today, if you see the circumstances of your house, gone at the hands of Mahuika, there is another day tomorrow, the day after, and in the future.

So this is a request to ones within the Whānau Ora scheme that these ones get closer and align themselves with people like these. Like the earthquake in years just past in Kaikōura, and in particular in Christchurch, namely the pain and difficulties that emerged, not the next day but weeks and months ahead, it is still there. The hurt is still evident and not at all straight away on this very day in isolation, no, but in the days that are before us.

Therefore, this is an appeal to the practical and to those helpful ones in Government departments and, furthermore, those who have access to Government funding and those also in communities to get closer to those experiencing aspects of pain and oppression upon them. I also urge them to follow on the statement of this one of the colleagues of the Greens of Parliament: “Christchurch, stand bold, courageous and vigilant in the days ahead.”]

Kia ora tātau.

I want to join with other members in supporting the motion that the Minister of Justice, on behalf of the Minister of Civil Defence, has moved regarding the fires that are currently fringing Christchurch. I want to join with other members in expressing our solidarity with the people of the Canterbury region at yet another natural onslaught, and to offer our deepest sympathy to the family of David Steven Askin on his tragic death the other day while fighting those fires.

I thought I should share with the House the latest information that I have received from the New Zealand Fire Service regarding the situation. To put this into perspective, the area of the fire is now some 20 square kilometres. For those of you who know Christchurch, that is more than 12 times the area of Hagley Park, so that is a very large area.

The intensity and the size of the fire, I am advised, is, in its own way, restricting the number of firefighters who can be safely put on the ground. There are currently some 20 rural crews and 20 urban crews working in the area, three fixed-wing aircraft, and 13 helicopters, and crews are coming from other parts of the country—a crew is on its way north from Dunedin. The advice that I have received is that the main tactic at present is an aerial attack to fight the most intense parts of the fire. This is being supported by firefighters on the ground, who are being strategically positioned around Christchurch to protect life and property.

As has been reported elsewhere, this is a rapidly moving and changing fire, and it brings with it those huge emotional impacts on the local people, who fear property loss, who fear for their safety, and who fear for their livelihoods, and on their wider families, who fear for them. I have family living in the affected area. I think they are OK, but my attempts to make contact so far have been, typically, to no avail. But there will be many people around New Zealand wondering similarly, and wondering what it means. Is this yet again another natural disaster for this city, which has suffered and endured so much in recent years, and will that spirit of resilience that people have spoken of and admired so much come to the fore again? We have to hope that is the case.

Someone said to me just before I came to the House today that there is something very weird going on here. We are used to looking at these sorts of scenes from Australia. The fact that our second-largest city is now home, if you like, to the sorts of scenes we normally associate with Western Sydney and parts of Victoria is extraordinarily disturbing. Others will draw their conclusions as to the reasons why, but I simply want to express again my huge thanks to the men and women of the New Zealand Fire Service, rural firefighters, and our emergency services for the work that they are doing in Christchurch. There will inevitably be a debrief afterwards as to the lessons, and we will await the outcome with appropriate interest.

My sympathy and support go to the people of Christchurch in this moment of trial, and I think that the House can show them proper respect and due support today by passing this motion.

Motion agreed to.