I am deeply shocked at the horrific events in Christchurch this afternoon.

My thoughts are very much with the Muslim community in Christchurch, Dunedin and throughout New Zealand.

Families and people of many different nationalities, cultures and religions have long chosen to make Dunedin and other parts of New Zealand their home.

Most recently, of course, we have welcomed many Syrian families – former refugees – to Dunedin. They have been met with an overwhelmingly positive response from our community, with many offers of support to help these families settle in. I am immensely proud of the manaakitanga our community has shown.

Many of these people have come to Dunedin and other parts of New Zealand for sanctuary from atrocities in their countries of origin.

Today’s events strike at the heart of everything which our community stands for.

I want to reassure the Dunedin community, and particularly our Muslim community, that we stand united with them.

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