Dear John,

I’m sure all New Zealanders continue to be astounded by the images from the regions most affected by Cyclone Gabrielle. I’ve been to some of those places in the past few days and the devastation is immense and the stories of survival, harrowing. I’ve met traumatised people who’ve lost almost everything and are waking up in the homes of friends or relatives. Whether displaced people are tenants or homeowners, they don’t know when they’ll again be in a place they can call home. It is so very hard for so many people.

Meeting with Hawke's Bay residents who suffered enormous damage.

Many people who hoped that the Government would today have announced specific assistance, would have been disappointed by Prime Minister Chris Hipkins’ announcements. The Government failed to give clarity to the people most affected by Cyclone Gabrielle about specific help to meet their immediate needs. Every day matters to people in desperate situations, and the Government has kicked answers to a task force and a Cabinet committee.

Unfortunately, a hallmark of this Government over five years has been an inability to get things done. The public won’t have confidence after today that anything is going to change. National will propose solutions and we’ll support good ideas - wherever they come from – but we’ll also keep asking questions on behalf of New Zealanders in need, and on behalf of taxpayers.

Delivering donated supplies to David Letele's Buttabean Motivation.

When so many people have been offering so much assistance, it’s incredibly disappointing to hear of cases of looting in the cyclone-affected areas, and to know that generators that people rely on for communications, are being stolen. National says that sentences should be doubled for thefts and burglaries committed in areas that are subject to a state of emergency. It’s just so low to take advantage of other people’s suffering. Police Minister Stuart Nash today called on gangs to stop their offending. Honestly, does he really think that will make a difference? Labour has been soft on crime for too long. National has a plan to back Police by giving them more powers to tackle gangs.

Meanwhile, after a week’s delay in re-starting for the year, Parliament resumes sitting tomorrow. The Government will outline its programme and I look forward to responding on behalf of National. Our team will continue to hold the Government to account inside and outside Parliament this year, and work hard for the election in October of a National Government that can begin the turnaround New Zealand so desperately needs.

Have a good week,
Christopher