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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