NEWS RELEASE

19 MARCH 2019

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Porirua pays tribute to lives lost in Christchurch mosque attack

Porirua City will stand as one to honour the people tragically killed at two Christchurch mosques last week.

Porirua City Mayor Mike Tana said from schools and colleges to Ngāti Toa Rangatira, the Porirua community was united in its desire to pay tribute to the innocent lives taken in Christchurch on 15 March.

“As a city we want to send a message to the families of those who lost their lives that we stand shoulder to shoulder with them.

“People from across our diverse community, who feel a strong common connection with the Muslim community in Christchurch, want to let our Muslim brothers and sisters know we are with them.

“In one voice that resonates across New Zealand we also want to send a clear message that hatred and racism have no place in our city, in our region, or in our country.”

Mayor Tana said Porirua colleges had placed flowers and messages of love and support at the Islamic Centre, Porirua Mosque, in Waitangirua this afternoon.

Porirua secondary schools will join all Kapiti schools in a synchronised haka at 1.40pm on Friday 19 March, one week after the tragedy began.

Mayor Tana said Kapiti Mayor K Gurunathan had come up with the idea of the coordinated haka and had asked Porirua to take part.

Porirua primary schools were also in the process of finalising their participation.

Mayor Tana said the haka was a chance for schools across New Zealand to unite against hatred and racism.

A book of condolence has been opened in the central Spine at Pātaka Gallery + Museum this afternoon, for people to sign and pay tribute to the victims.

Pātaka Director Reuben Friend said because Pātaka was a hub for the Porirua community, it was a fitting location for the book to be placed.

“The horrific events in Christchurch have felt very close to home here in Porirua.

“We are a diverse, multi-ethnic community made up of people from across the world.

“As an organisation we here at Porirua City Council feel it is only right that we give our city a way to remember the innocent people whose lives were so cruelly taken.”

Friend said the book would be placed under the permanent artwork Nexus by artist Shannon Novak.

ENDS

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