Turei Metiria: Ministerial Statements — Earthquake—Christchurch Earthquake Christchurch—Extension of State of National Emergency 
Turei Metiria: Ministerial Statements — Earthquake—Christchurch Earthquake Christchurch—Extension of State of National Emergency 
[Volume:670;Page:16953] 
METIRIA TUREI (Co-Leader—Green) 
: 
 I start off by acknowledging the community and volunteer sector in Christchurch/Otautahi. Their response and their commitment to their communities indicate why this sector is so important here in Aotearoa: there are thousands of people giving up their time and their energy at a time of great stress for them and their families to go out to help others simply because they can and because others need their help. Many many organisations are working with communities in Christchurch/Otautahi. When I was there I worked with Comfort for Christchurch—many young people organising welfare and food drops. The University of Canterbury Student Volunteer Army which the Hon Phil Goff has mentioned is doing amazing work there. I acknowledge all of those different groups of people there represented by the political parties here. I know that the Maori Party has teams of people out there the Green Party has teams of people out there and Labour and National I do not doubt also have teams of people—their people their members—out there doing work for free for their community because they know that it is important and necessary. This is the community spirit the community and voluntary sector which we know and should respect for their efforts on our behalf and our communities’ behalf. 
I acknowledge also those who are working out of Rehua Marae and the coordination and support role that people there are undertaking for their people the kaimahi who are working out of there: the Maori wardens the health workers the counselling services that are provided and Ngai Tahu and their outreach that is provided there. I have been with those people as they have walked through the dusty streets of Wainoni and Aranui knocking on people’s doors and talking to those who are too frightened to come out of their homes to seek help and to those who just do not know what help they can get because they do not have the communications technology that many of us take for granted. Those are the people who need help the most and people from Rehua Marae in particular are working with those communities. I acknowledge them particularly David Ormsby from Te Puni Kokiri and Maire Kopa who is coordinating from Rehua Marae. 
As the horror of Christchurch’s earthquake continues to unfold there are plans for rebuilding the city and the livelihoods of those who live there. We believe that the Government has a unique opportunity to build a national a community and a political consensus on the rebuilding of Christchurch. There are three elements to that consensus: its funding its design and its community participation. We understand that the task at hand is very difficult and very serious and on behalf of the Green Party I offer our constructive support in Parliament to find a fair sustainable and inclusive response to the challenges ahead for our community in Christchurch. We support a fair and equitable approach to paying for the rebuild and that means sharing the costs across those who can most afford to pay. With the combined cost of the Christchurch earthquakes yet to be finalised we believe that the cost beyond what insurance will cover has to be borne fairly across our country. As members of this House may already know we have already offered our support for a temporary levy on those who can best afford an additional tax on their income to help support that rebuild. 
The rebuilding of Christchurch can be done in a way that reflects best practice in sustainable city design and meets the needs of communities who live there. We believe that it is important that expertise is made available to the Government and that the Government takes up the opportunity to consider the advice and work with those who have such expertise. 
The impact of this earthquake is massive and heartbreaking. I have worked in the city and seen the impact of the earthquake on families and their children. Therefore it is critical that there is an inclusive approach to reflecting the values of the people who live there and are affected by this tragedy and that they are represented in the decisions that are being made. That is crucial if there is to be a cross-party approach but also if there is to be an approach that works for the communities who are affected. So we urge the Government to consider very seriously how it will involve the communities of Christchurch in the decisions that are being made. 
Finally the Green Party extends our most heartfelt condolences to all of those people across the country who have lost friends colleagues and loved ones in this tragedy. He mihi aroha ki a koutou katoa.