Robertson GrantWEDNESDAY 5 DECEMBER 2018The Speaker took the Chair at 2 p.m.Prayers.MOTIONSInfluenza Pandemic of 1918—CentenaryHon GRANT ROBERTSON (Minister of Finance): Following a discussion between the Leader of the House and shadow Leader of the House I seek leave to move Government notice of motion No. 5 on the centenary of the influenza epidemic of 1918.SPEAKER: Is there any objection to that course of action being followed? There is none.Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: I move That this House acknowledge that 100 years ago in late 1918 New Zealand was in the grip of this country's worst public health disaster the influenza pandemic which killed around 9000 New Zealanders and had a devastating effect on our Pacific neighbours and remember the selfless service of the many volunteers and health professionals who risked their own lives to care for their communities.The 1918 influenza pandemic was the worst public health emergency this country has ever experienced. The majority of the 9000 deaths occurred between October and December. No other event in New Zealand has killed as many in such a short time. Within a few months half as many New Zealanders lost their lives as were killed during the whole four years of the First World War. Unlike most influenza strains which usually have the greatest impact on the very young and the elderly this one targeted healthy young adults in the prime of their lives including returning servicemen and women who had survived the horrors of war. Children were left without parents. Māori were particularly affected with a death rate seven times that of Pākehā. The scale of the pandemic overwhelmed hospitals and health services at a time when many doctors and nurses were still overseas serving. Those who remained worked tirelessly as did large numbers of volunteers without whose efforts there would have been greater loss of life. Sadly some also succumbed to the flu in the course of their service.We acknowledge too the impact that influenza had in the wider Pacific and particularly in Samoa where it was disastrous. In 1918 New Zealand authorities allowed the ship Talune carrying passengers with influenza to disembark in Apia—22 percent of the Samoan population died from the effects of this flu. In 2002 Prime Minister Helen Clark offered a formal apology on behalf of the New Zealand Government to the people of Samoa for this tragic event.As we remember all those who died in 1918 we also note that the pandemic did in some ways leave a positive legacy. The experiences of the disaster helped to inform our approaches to managing infectious diseases preventing recurrences and developing our response capabilities. The Health Act passed by this House in 1920 was to shape New Zealand's public health system for the next 40 years.The risk of another influenza pandemic remains high 100 years on from this event. A similarly aggressive infection now would we estimate kill up to 38000 New Zealanders. New strains of flu regularly reach our shores. The centenary of this tragic time in our history reminds us of the need to be prepared to cope with future communicable disease pandemics. It reminds us that in bad times it is our connection with each other that gives us the best chance of making it through such a pandemic. Let's ensure our families workplaces and communities are strong and resilient so that we are well placed to look after each other.