Dunne PeterHon PETER DUNNE (Leader—United Future): I want to support the resolution moved by the Prime Minister in the wake of the earthquakes that struck a large part of New Zealand in the early hours of yesterday morning. I do not want to rehearse some of the stories that have been told. We all have as one of the earlier speakers said those moments we will remember and never forget. But I do want to observe that as I moved around my electorate yesterday the one thing that struck me was the quiet resilience of people. Everyone had been through a tremendous ordeal. People were getting on with their lives and were looking out for each other. Although they were numbed and although they were shocked it was something of a joy to behold the strength of their character and their determination. But we know that that will not be the case in all circumstances and I particularly extend my sympathy to the families of those who have lost loved ones in this tragedy. There will be those who are injured or are in some way incapacitated by this tragedy and those who have lost property and other assets and who will be wondering about their economic futures. They are the people who must be in our thoughts at the present time as we contemplate recovery and all that it means.In the wake of the Christchurch earthquakes the Fire Service's urban search and rescue (USAR) unit did an awesome job—so much so that it received the United Nations' commendation for that work. I want to tell the House today that that urban search and rescue unit has already been deployed. A team of 20 firefighters from Christchurch was deployed yesterday to Kaikōura and also dogs and two water purification units and communications equipment have been deployed to Kaikōura to help the rescue events there. In addition the central USAR unit has been deployed to the Wellington region working alongside the Wellington Regional Council as it coordinates relief efforts in this part of the world. But I must make this observation: neither of those types of activities is actually legally sanctioned by the current Fire Service legislation. The Fire Service technically exceeds its mandate in carrying out this emergency work—which is I observe in passing why we need to pass the Fire and Emergency New Zealand Bill as soon as possible—because these events are likely to become far more part of our norm. In a time of emergency we rely on a number of key elements of our society coming together in the public interest and I want to acknowledge particularly the work of the news media especially our public media—Radio New Zealand and Television New Zealand—for the way in which they covered the events of the last 24 hours the information they provided and the fact that they kept on going. Very few of us who heard it will ever forget Vicki McKay's announcement of the earthquake during the midnight news bulletin. The calmness and the strength—as I heard one commentator say yesterday that in itself described the essence of being a New Zealander.There is one final point I want to make. Today in Wellington we face the unusual phenomenon where because of flooding and torrential rain State Highways 1 and 2 are closed leaving Auckland isolated. But more seriously—more seriously—that event demonstrates the wisdom in pursuing the Transmission Gully motorway option which is now under construction and which is proceeding very well because had it been in place that situation might not have occurred and Auckland might have been saved. Seriously though can I just express again my thanks to all involved in recovery work my appreciation for the real stoicism of New Zealanders and my sympathy for those who have suffered emotional physical and personal loss as a consequence of that tragedy.