While Christchurch burns, Wellington talksIain McGregor Smoke hangs over the Christchurch suburb of Westmoreland on Thursday. READ MORE:* Civil Defence Minister Gerry Brownlee 'perplexed' by response to Christchurch fires* Helicopter pilot who died fighting Christchurch fires ex-SAS member David Steven Askin* Editorial: Lack of information on Port Hills fires excruciating* Analysis: What could have been done to stop the Port Hills blaze? Stacy Squires Prime Minister Bill English is given a briefing about the Christchurch fires. "I'm perplexed as to why you've got the Selwyn District or rural firefighters running things inside Christchurch City Council district boundaries," he said. National MP Scott Simpson devoted a third of his very short speech to criticising the previous speaker, Clayton Mitchell.

Source: Stuff February 19, 2017 20:36 UTC