Shaw JamesHon JAMES SHAW (Co-Leader—Green): Thank you Mr Speaker. The nature of this virus is always that despite the extraordinary measures that the Government has put in place since March there was always a probability that there would be an additional outbreak. Despite the complaints of the Opposition that was always on the cards. No system is perfect although we can always struggle to improve the measures that we have. I would like to say in response to some of what we've heard from the Opposition's responses to the Ministers' statements earlier that it was actually the very same people who were suggesting that we open the border to Australia that we allow ourselves to have the virus come into this country and so on who were actually suggesting that we let our guard down and who are now saying the precise opposite and are suggesting that there are actually some ways that you can be 100 percent sure that it would never ever come back into the country. That was never the Government's position. From the outset we have been absolutely clear about the need for quick and decisive and comprehensive action. I mean this week we have shown that yet again we are ready to do whatever it takes to protect the health and wellbeing of our families and our communities and our friends. Since we learnt of the first cases of community transmission in several months we've been very clear about the risk and we've acted rapidly to contain it and to put in place a range of measures to support those who are most affected. We have again made very clear that it is the health and wellbeing of New Zealanders that we value more than anything else. On behalf of the Green Party—and in the absence of my colleague and co-leader Marama Davidson who is right now at home taking care of her family—I'd like to take this opportunity to commend the Prime Minister for her leadership. Delaying an election and asking MPs to return to Parliament is an extraordinary step to take. But I think everybody outside of this place recognises that it is in keeping with what they elected us to do which is to take the action that is necessary to protect their wellbeing keep them safe and to provide support to those who need it the most—when they need it. Every one of us in this House and those of us who are unfortunately absent today hoped that by now we would be out in our communities up and down the country knocking on doors attending local meetings talking to people about our plans for the future and our recovery for the country. Facing a second wave of community transmission was not in the plan but it was always a probability that we had to be open to. We did prepare for it and we are ready to work through it together with the rest of New Zealand. I can say that with some confidence because when the original outbreak happened we had nothing in place for regional lockdowns like we have at the moment; nothing like the ability to track and trace like we have at the moment; nothing like the genetic testing that is able to work out the boundaries of particular chains of transmission and whether they relate to each other or not. All of those months since March have been taken up building those systems. If we had the same systems in place now that we had in March then we would be in the same situation that we were in March which is the entire country would be in a level 4 lockdown because that was the only measure that we had in place at the time. As it happens our systems are much more sophisticated than they were over a few months ago. We've heard from the Minister of Finance just before—we have already stepped up to provide additional support for the people who need it. The new wage subsidy and the existing extension will mean that more New Zealanders can stay in their jobs and continue to provide for their families. We've also provided additional security to those who are worried about what a loss of income means for keeping up with their payments for their home. Because of the actions that this Government has taken yet again more people can continue to support their families to pay their bills to put money back into their local businesses and into the community. That is really what our response to this crisis has always been about—keeping people safe supporting those impacted and helping our communities. But the truth is we cannot do it alone. Just like before COVID-19 will be overcome by all of us working together by New Zealanders in every home and every community and every business sticking to the rules that we have set.Now we've just heard from the health Minister about the steps that we're taking to slow the spread of the virus. So rather than repeat those actions I wanted to take this opportunity to acknowledge people all across New Zealand who are making our health response possible—and I do want to acknowledge the words that Dr Shane Reti gave in his contribution just earlier which I thought was reasonable reasoned and to the point—the businesses up and down the country who have adapted to alert level 2 and put in place measures to support their staff and keep their customers safe; the nurses who are putting themselves and their families at risk so that we can ramp up our testing and keep track of how the virus is spreading; the medical laboratory scientists who are working flat out in laboratories to get test results back to people quickly so they don't have to worry any longer than is necessary; the mental health workers who are there for people who need them; the teachers who are calmly and patiently again explaining to students why we have to go back to physical distancing; our police officers; our supermarket staff; and the dairy owners. Every action that these people are taking is what will together make the difference.Now I would like to give a special mention to the people of Auckland. We know that what you are experiencing right now is different to the rest of New Zealand. So as much as I'm sure you love being at home and spending time with your loved ones and avoiding the morning traffic I know that this was not part of the plan. But I know this: the actions that you are taking you are taking for the good of everyone. For that I'm confident that I speak on behalf of the rest of New Zealand when I say thank you. Keep well look out for each other and keep your distance physically but not socially. Call people connect with your friends online and message colleagues to make sure that they are OK because now more than ever we need each other.With this in mind I bet if you ask someone to explain how in human terms the pandemic has impacted them and their loved ones they will tell you something very different from what we now see on show through the headline grabbing antics of some in this place—whether it's a small-business owner in Auckland who's worried about their future someone at risk of losing their job or someone who's loved one has just tested positive for COVID-19 we are all experiencing the pandemic differently. But underpinning every individual experience is a story of hope because most of us here know that if we come together if we do not turn to fear or misinformation if we stick to the rules and look out for each other we will be able to beat the pandemic a second time. As we experience this pandemic again every one of us has a responsibility to remember the reality of what is being experienced in New Zealand today.People all across New Zealand are looking to us for leadership. They want to know that what we will do is what's needed to keep their livelihoods intact and their families safe. What each of us needs to be saying to them is very clear: that we understand that we all have a part to play in making sure that Aotearoa can get through this again together.