Willis NicolaNICOLA WILLIS (Deputy Leader—National): On behalf of the National Party it is with the deepest sadness that I join the Minister in expressing our condolences to the families and friends of those who have lost their lives this morning in Loafers Lodge as well as those who have been displaced and dispossessed after the fire. People being pulled from the roofs of burning buildings or escaping by jumping out of windows is not something we expect to see in New Zealand yet today we've seen it just down the road. The tragedy that we woke to this morning is not something we expect in 2023 and yet that is what has just unfolded.Christopher Luxon and I have just returned from the site of the tragedy where we met with survivors and first responders. We spoke with one man who had escaped the blaze awoken only because he needed to go to the bathroom and saw smoke rolling down the corridor. He then had the opportunity to alert his friend in the neighbouring bedroom that they needed to escape. Tears rolled down his face as he recounted what had occurred in the night. Clearly traumatised not only for fear of those who had lost their lives but also by what had occurred and the displacement that he will have to endure over the coming weeks as he tries to find a new home.We spoke also with emergency personnel who have been responding to the fire since midnight. They are the very best of us. They were so brave so self-effacing about their efforts. But they in many cases said that the work has only just begun. They have ahead of them a task which none of us would wish upon anyone as they do the hard work—the gruelling work—to return those lost to loved ones.One of the firefighters I spoke to told me of his concern for those on the communications lines overnight some of whom apparently were speaking with those trapped in the building. Some of those calls ended very abruptly. The pain on the faces of the firefighters and emergency services staff was evident. Let there be no doubt that had it not been for their response last night and their valour many more would have died. They are heroes and their bravery in the face of danger and devastation is simply inspirational. They ran into a blazing fire risking their lives in order to fight for the lives of others. The toll must be enormous. We say thank you but we also pledge to help support them with the surely ongoing trauma from their involvement in this event.I'm sure that over the coming hours and days we will learn more of the true scale of this tragedy. Many people remain missing and as we sit here this afternoon facts are still unfolding. There will come a time for questions and those questions will deserve answers. Today is not that day but I respectfully ask the Government: please engage the Opposition as you form terms of reference for the investigation into this event and how it came to pass.Right now my thoughts—and this Parliament's thoughts I'm sure—are with the mothers the fathers the wives the husbands the brothers the sisters the children who have lost loved ones and also for those sick with worry waiting for news about whether their family members are safe. Just know that we are alongside you waiting in hope with you. We are here to support you.It is difficult to comprehend the terror and chaos that confronted residents of Loafers Lodge last night but we know that in these times of desperation there has also been immeasurable courage. I want to echo the Minister's thanks to the paramedics at Wellington Free Ambulance and to the staff at Wellington Regional Hospital caring for victims as we speak. I know that in this moment the Wellington community will step up to support those displaced and traumatised. We have already seen the Wellington City Mission and local churches come to the effort. These are some of our most vulnerable citizens and Wellington will stay with them. May the victims of this tragedy rest in peace. Our thoughts are with all affected.