Mark Mitchell

So, you know, we've got to protect lives.

We've got to protect property.

And by the way, if you do not get these responses right, they have a direct impact on the recovery, and it costs us billions of dollars as a country.

And we cannot afford it.

We can't afford it.

Yes, so in relation to Craig, I work very closely with Craig in Wairau.

But the fact of the matter is the last big weather event we had through there, the communities were very upset because they felt like there wasn't quick decisions made around the management of the river entrance.

And half the town flooded.

And I've still got $70 million sitting down there to do mitigation work.

That's taxpayers' money.

So I'm sorry, we just can't live in this world anymore where there's complacency.

It doesn't mean that we need to be alarmist, but we've just got to be prepared and we've got to make sure that we take this stuff seriously.

I'll get your view in a moment, Ginny.

News talks every 17 past 8, Ginny Anderson, Mark Mitchell.

You got anything to say on that, Ginny?

You don't have to, but just in case you want to?

And Mike, I take your point completely.

I think your point you're making is...

you know, let's not use language that is too alarmist and really scares people, right?

And I agree with that.