King Annette: Motions — Pacific Islands—Tsunami 
King Annette: Motions — Pacific Islands—Tsunami 
[Volume:658;Page:6908] 
Hon ANNETTE KING (Deputy Leader—Labour) 
: 
 Today along with the Government and all New Zealanders the Labour Opposition wants to pass on our heartfelt sympathy and love to the people of Samoa Tonga and American Samoa. Many New Zealanders became aware of the unfolding tragedy on 30 September after the tsunami had struck. We watched in horror as the first pictures of the death and devastation that had been caused reached us. Where once there were thriving tourist resorts now there was debris where once there were villages teeming with life and the sound of children there was silence and where once there were gardens and trees there was nothing. The magnitude of the disaster became apparent to us all as the days passed. Then the memories of 2004 came back but this time the disaster was closer to home. It was in our neighbourhood causing massive grief and despair. 
I saw a headline in a newspaper that read “Samoans and Kiwis now as one”. That is how many of us felt; so many of us know people in Samoa and Tonga. We have travelled there we have made friends there and we have family there. New Zealand has for a long time had a strong relationship with Samoa Tonga and American Samoa and the deaths of around 190 people have touched the lives of many people in all countries. But we are more than close neighbours. Thousands of Samoans and Tongans call New Zealand home. We are linked culturally by marriage by birth and by history and that is why we all stand as one to help our Pacific friends. We share their grief. Because natural disasters do not discriminate and Kiwis along with Samoans and Tongans have perished we share their grief. 
We also share their strength because despite the massive pain that the tsunami has caused everybody has been touched by the stories of personal courage and determination. Who will forget the family who lost 13 family members but had the strength to carry on supporting each other and helping those around them? No one will forget the story of the mum who lost three of her babies having been unable to do anything to save them but who is determined to rebuild her life. There are numerous stories of courage and strength and they continue to emerge. I think the telling of those stories will strengthen us all. 
The Opposition fully supports the New Zealand Government in giving whatever assistance may be necessary to rebuild people’s lives and their homes. I have read and heard of many examples of people who are digging deep to help to rebuild Tonga and Samoa from children raising money at roadside stalls right through to big corporations donating money for infrastructure. I do not think we can rest until our close neighbours friends and families restore their homes their livelihood and their future. As an old Samoan saying goes: “Let us remain true in our faith. Let us be strong be patient be courageous. As the sun sets the sun will rise again.” 
Our deepest sympathy and condolences go out not only to the people of Samoa and Tonga but also to the people here in New Zealand whose loved ones lost their lives.