Hon KIERAN McANULTY (Minister for Emergency Management): May I begin by acknowledging the emergency management professionals and volunteers that have been working hard to support communities through the severe weather events of the past week. I must also acknowledge the impact that this severe weather has had on individuals, businesses, and farming communities. I've been in contact with the mayors of the affected districts, who are reporting that their local emergency management operations are responding well. Our emergency management system has been strengthened in recent years, with the National Emergency Management Agency leading the work to put people and communities at the heart of our system and decision making. The Government has substantially increased NEMA's ability to support New Zealand communities in the event of natural disasters and other emergencies.