7. Question No. 7—HealthHon LOUISE UPSTON (National—Taupō) to the Minister of HealthQuestion No. 7—Health7. Hon LOUISE UPSTON (National—Taupō) to the Minister of Health: Has he received any specific advice on the mental health implications of limiting funerals to 10 people; if so will he commit to releasing this advice in full this week?Hon Dr DAVID CLARK (Minister of Health): As I said yesterday the issue of attendance at funerals is one of the most difficult that has faced the Government during the COVID-19 pandemic. I completely understand the desire of people to gather and grieve together. This morning I spoke with a number of funeral directors the Prime Minister spoke with church leaders and I understand Ministers Henare and Davis have spoken with iwi leaders. We are listening and we are consulting. We hear the concerns and I'm confident that we will find a workable solution that keeps people safe and allows more flexibility around funerals and tangihanga. In answer to the member's specific question about advice the answer is no.Hon Dr Nick Smith: You're not going to release the advice?Hon Michael Woodhouse: No he hasn't got any.Hon Louise Upston: Didn't ask for any. Does he agree—SPEAKER: Order! Does the member want to ask a supplementary? Hon Louise Upston: Yes a supplementary. SPEAKER: Well the member should ask a supplementary. Hon Louise Upston: Thank you Mr Speaker. Does he agree that it is easier to trace 100 family members at a funeral than 100 strangers at a restaurant and if not why not?Hon Dr DAVID CLARK: The member raises a hypothetical question. Obviously it would depend upon the individual circumstances of the gatherings.Hon Louise Upston: Does he accept that the Prime Minister stating that 100 people would be allowed to gather last Thursday only to change that on Monday has added to the enormous distress caused and that the Prime Minister shouldn't have changed her mind reducing the number to 10?Hon Dr DAVID CLARK: I reject the premise of the member's question. Hon Chris Hipkins: Which does he think would cause the most distress for New Zealanders: taking our time to ensure that we get the transition right or risking a further spike in COVID cases resulting in harsher measures in the future?Hon Dr DAVID CLARK: Of course getting this transition right is the most important thing. We want to make sure that we lock in the gains that have been made. New Zealanders have made considerable sacrifice and what we don't want to see is the situation we've seen overseas where people attending large funerals have experienced extra tragedy because people at the funerals have become infected with coronavirus.Hon Louise Upston: How does he respond to the Cambridge funeral director who said families are being left with lifelong scars because of the unreasonable restrictions that he is attempting to defend today of the Prime Minister saying 100 people last week and then this week dropping it back to 10?Hon Dr DAVID CLARK: What I would say is that my heart goes out to any family that is grieving. Considerable sacrifices have been made by New Zealanders in recent weeks and losing a loved one is always difficult. I do accept that current restrictions on funerals have been tough for many New Zealanders over those recent weeks. These restrictions were not introduced lightly. They were introduced to help keep us all safe and avoid situations such as those we've seen overseas that I've just mentioned which have led to the transmission of COVID-19. I do expect to have more to say about the handling of funerals shortly. And I'd also note that no one needs to feel alone at this time. We have made a range of mental health supports available for people including those who are grieving and I would encourage people in distress to seek out help.Hon Louise Upston: Does he understand why a daughter mourning the death of her father feels that They have no empathy for families in mourning." and if so will he commit and announce today a changing of the rules on funerals and tangihanga with the public health evidence that goes with it to let New Zealanders grieve?Hon Dr DAVID CLARK: Obviously grief at any time is a very difficult thing for people to go through and my sympathy goes out to that family.Hon Louise Upston: I seek leave to table a letter from Grinter's Funeral Home in Cambridge that talks about families being left with—SPEAKER: Order! Order! Is there any objection to that letter being tabled? There appears to be none.Document by leave laid on the Table of the House."