Hon Dr DAVID CLARK (Minister of Health) on behalf of the Minister of Civil Defence: I wish to make a ministerial statement under Standing Order 356 informing the House of an extension of the state of national emergency to Wednesday, 13 May 2020. On behalf of the coalition Government and the Government's confidence and supply partner, at 12:21 p.m., 25 March 2020, having considered the advice of the Director of Civil Defence Emergency Management and in consultation with the Prime Minister under section 66 of the Civil Defence Emergency Management Act, the Hon Peeni Henare, Minister of Civil Defence, declared a state of national emergency for the whole of New Zealand to help manage the impact of COVID-19. A state of national emergency lasts for seven days unless extended. The Minister has so far extended this state of emergency six times—most recently, yesterday. The state of national emergency will now expire at 12:21 p.m., Wednesday, 13 May, unless further extended or terminated earlier.