Day after eruption

During a speech in the House yesterday afternoon, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said serious questions must be asked and answered into how the tragedy happened and WorkSafe would be investigating.

‘‘But our focus now is on discharging our duty of care to support those affected and that is also the focus of the police,’’ she said.

‘‘I say to those who have lost and grieve – you are forever linked to our nation and we will hold you.’’

The nationalities of the 47 people on the island at the time included two people from the UK, four from Germany, 24 from Australia, five from New Zealand, two from China, one from Malaysia, and nine from the United States.

She earlier praised the ‘‘brave’’ work of the first responders when she met with them at the Whakata¯ne Fire Station yesterday. Ardern was seen hugging and shaking hands of those who were first on the scene to help.

She spoke briefly, describing the actions of first responders and helicopter pilots who assisted as ‘‘incredibly brave’’.

‘‘What a community that exists here. Firefighters, police, St John, all on the ground and assisting. They have done an incredible job in difficult circumstances.’’

Whakata¯ne district mayor Judy Turner said her heart went out to the injured, the missing and the deceased, and their families. A Civil Defence Centre opened at the Whakata¯ ne Library to provide psycho-social support.

Back at Ma¯ nuka Tu¯ tahi Marae, Maangi’s family joined the wha¯ nau of Marshall-Inman.

His brother said it ‘‘smells like Pike River all over again’’.

‘‘[It’s] people from Wellington making decisions for people that go on the island daily who know the island inside out,’’ said the man, who asked not to be named.

‘‘Why are they not listening to the experts that go to the island?

‘‘Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone, but we just want them back . . . off the island.’’

Nga¯ti Awa kauma¯tua Te Kei Merito said the point of wha¯ nau gathering was to share and embrace each other.