Hawkins George: Estimates Debate — In Committee Procedure 
Hawkins George: Estimates Debate — In Committee Procedure 
[Volume:618;Page:14415] 
Hon GEORGE HAWKINS (Minister of Civil Defence) 
: 
 May I start off by thanking Judy Turner for the work that she was doing when I arrived down on the Sunday. I have been there four times of course and I have seen the progress of the emergency. One thing I really want to say about civil defence emergencies is that it brings out the best in the Kiwi spirit where people set aside any differences and lend a hand to each other. That is really very important. I also congratulate the civil defence organisations—people working concerned about their fellow citizens—and the mayors of the two districts John Forbes from Opotiki and Colin Hammond from Whakatane. 
The Government has responded very quickly. Task Force Green is up and running. We have the one-stop shop up and running. We have rural advisers in there. We have had people from the Earthquake Commission there as well. We are looking at how we can help a number of farmers. The situation is at the stage where the total damage cannot be estimated because the water has not cleared as yet and unfortunately today they are expecting more rain. There will be more rain on top of the huge falls of rain in the weekend before last and earthquakes. So there are a lot of people who are really worried. 
I also have to say that it is good to have the buy-in from the local radio station 1XX. Its work in this emergency has been tremendous and I want to compare that with places like Turangi that got caught up in the floods in February. The Turangi radio station goes on to a network over the weekend and people could not get local messages. Here 1XX was able to do that. 
This Government has always treated people in emergency situations with generosity—with a real human hand. That is what is going to happen this time. That is what has already been started and it will continue to happen. I thank the local members—Mita Ririnui who was there on the ground day after day. I thank my colleague Parekura Horomia. He was up there giving comfort to his people. I thank Damien O’Connor who was getting a fix on the rural agricultural problems that people are facing. 
Brian Connell 
: I think you will find it was water. 
Hon GEORGE HAWKINS 
: Well that person can yell and shout. That is all he does—hollow words—he has not got the Kiwi spirit that everyone else has. I think his snide remarks are cheap. I say to Mr Connell that he can do better than that. When I went to a sports hall to see the people in there; people possibly some very— 
Brian Connell 
: Wet people. 
Hon GEORGE HAWKINS 
: Well very wet people—not as wet as that member who is giggling at the plight of other people. Mr Connell does himself no good and he should shut up. These people have been cooking for one another and arranging entertainment for kids who have been there for days. They have been supporting one another. It has been about people saying: “There is always someone worse off than me.” When we went to Bryans Beach where Mrs Freeman died to see the neighbours there with their shovels trying to clear water away after they had suffered that big tragedy that showed how people really do care. 
Brian Connell 
: Where were you when we had the droughts in Canterbury? You weren’t seen. 
Hon GEORGE HAWKINS 
: I get to see and do more in Canterbury than that member ever will. He is just a big bag of wind. 
I also want to mention Janet Mackey who was stuck on the other side of Opotiki. She was there lending her help. The MPs including Tony Ryall worked in the area. I acknowledge the work of all the MPs across party lines who have given generously and who have not been demeaning as Mr Connell wants to be. 
Vote agreed to.