A survivor of the fatal fire at Loafers Lodge has called the news of five murder charges bittersweet.
Chris Tubman wants justice for those who died but wishes the blaze was prevented in the first place.
He's also asking questions about the mayoral relief fund, saying former residents have received just $500 each - not a lot when you've lost everything.
It was a moment to reflect and remember as officials and families gathered at dawn outside Loafers Lodge as mana whenua blessed the site where five people died. The karakia marked the end of an extensive and difficult Police scene examination. But it resulted in five charges of murder laid against a man last night.
The news was somewhat comforting for survivors.
"It's a bittersweet moment," Loafers Lodge survivor Chris Tubman said.
"The sweetness is that the person responsible has been apprehended and now he can be held accountable but it's bitter you know that… this tragedy could've been prevented."
Tubman is grateful to be alive. A convicted arsonist himself, he feels like it's given him a second chance.
"You just got to appreciate life I guess because your life can be gone just like that, like the five brothers that lost their lives."
But while he is thankful for all the support so far, he's got questions about the mayoral relief fund.
"Make sure that the families that've lost loved ones they get sorted but $300,000, that's a lot of money… and how do we know that you are spending that money or dividing it to families and survivors?" he asked.
Because of the $350,000 raised, the dozens of survivors have received just $500 each - not a lot when you've lost everything.
"You're quite right, $500 doesn't go very far," Wellington City Missioner Murray Edridge said.
But City Mission says more money will go to survivors in the coming months with a focus to the future.
"We've got people whose lives have been turned upside down who are deeply traumatised by everything that's happened and the longer-term support will need to happen," Edridge said.
But survivors like Tubman just hope they're not forgotten.
