Wagner Nicky: Ministerial Statements — Earthquake—Christchurch Earthquake Christchurch—Extension of State of National Emergency 
Wagner Nicky: Ministerial Statements — Earthquake—Christchurch Earthquake Christchurch—Extension of State of National Emergency 
[Volume:670;Page:16960] 
NICKY WAGNER (National) 
: 
 After 4 September and by Christmas time Christchurch people felt they had had enough of earthquakes. But then we had the damaging Boxing Day quake and on 22 February was the big one. It was shockingly violent. It did enormous damage especially in central Christchurch the eastern suburbs Lyttelton and the Port Hills. It is estimated that it may have done ten times more damage than the 4 September earthquake. But the big difference this time was that the city was at work and that as many more buildings were destroyed many people lost their lives. Christchurch—and New Zealand—is a small community. We all know each other; we are all connected. Everyone knows family members friends and workmates who are not coming home after this quake and that is the real difference. We all share the pain of those who have lost people whom they love; we all grieve together. 
But Cantabrians are resilient. We believe in can-do and we will bounce back. We will rebuild our city; we will make it a better more beautiful and safer place in which to live. For the last 2 weeks we have been looking after each other and gently picking up the pieces of our shattered city and our shattered lives—family by family street by street and community by community. The emergency services have worked tirelessly: civil defence the police the fire brigade urban search and rescue St John and the army have all banded together firstly to rescue people from those buildings—and they did; there have been amazing stories of survival from some of our buildings—then more lately in the recovery phase. Teams have come from all over New Zealand and the world and we cannot thank them enough. 
The technical people in our city have been called upon to produce the miracles of power water and drainage from broken cables and munted pipes and drains. In hours and days they have done the work of weeks months and even years. Never again will I take for granted running water electricity or a working toilet. In our neighbourhood we debate whether it is better to have water or power or power or water—not that we really get a choice—but we all agree that the most important thing and the most difficult to get is a Portaloo. We can forget that “diamonds are a girl’s best friend”; in Christchurch a girl’s best friend is a Portaloo. 
I have lived in Christchurch all my life but since 22 February it has been totally transformed. People have died. Homes businesses and many of our treasured heritage buildings have been destroyed. There is rubble everywhere but there are also people who care everywhere. So many wonderful volunteers have been working in our streets that when we are out and about we have to ask people whether they are locals or helpers. The Student Volunteer Army the Farmy Army and contractors have shovelled up over 250000 tonnes of silt. The Red Cross and the Salvation Army are out there doorknocking and checking on people and churches and community groups have delivered thousands of food parcels and hundreds of thousands of hot meals and snacks. The Government helpline has dealt with over 100000 calls. Civil defence and Red Cross grants are being paid out and over $50 million has been paid out through the Earthquake Employment Support Package. 
Christchurch is picking up the pieces. We are looking forward—we are looking forward to getting back to work and to school and to rebuilding our city. Christchurch may be bent and broken right now but we will rebuild and we will create an even better more beautiful and safer city with a future.