Speech: Sinking of ferry near Tonga

Notice of Motion:Sinking of Princess Ashika Interisland ferry

Hon Tariana Turia; Co-leader of the Maori Party

Thursday 6 August 2009; 2pm

Mr Speaker

'Oku oatu 'eku 'ofa ki he kakai tonga kotoa pe he faingata'a kuo hoko.

I greet the people of Tonga on this sad day.

Kei te pouri te ngakau i tenei wa.

The Maori Party stands with all other parties, to express our sympathies for the families who are grieving today, after the tragedy that took place last night, in the waters of the Pacific.

Our connections, as tangata whenua, with the peoples of Te Moana Nui a Kiwa, bind us together, in times of happiness and in times of sadnress.

We think of those families with loved ones still missing and we offer our prayers.

We also want to acknowledge the efforts of New Zealand's Rescue Coordination Centre; the Royal New Zealand Airforce; the Maritime Radio team; who have worked so valiantly to restore calm in this time of distress. Your courage under times of crisis will be remembered.

May God bless you all.