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In the weeks since the Christchurch shooting, the outpouring of love and support for the families affected, the country’s Muslims and the wider community has been summed up in the Maori phrase kia kaha – be strong. Many found strength in taking part in gatherings and fundraising activities. Around the Mahurangi district, this included Colour Your Day, peace vigils and pausing for silent contemplation with others at work or in neighbourhoods. Here we reflect on some of these activities …
Warkworth residents spontaneously gathered to share two minutes of silence at the clock tower on Baxter Street at 1.30pm on Friday, March 22. The clock tower has been an unofficial location for locals to leave flowers to remember the victims from Christchurch. About 60 people also joined hands and shared a three minute silence during a riverside peace vigil on the Sunday after the attack. Tribute was paid to those directly affected, as well as emergency services and medical personnel.
Tragedy exercises children’s minds
Students linked arms in a show of unity at Warkworth Primary School.
Empathy, tolerance and diversity have been at the forefront of conversations in many playgrounds around the Mahurangi district.
Mahurangi College held a special assembly where prefects carried a white rose to symbolise each of the 50 lives lost. The roses were then left in a bouquet under the town clock. A basketball court was made available for students to write their own messages in chalk.
Fundraising for Mahurangi College’s sister school, Cashmere High School has so far raised nearly $1500. Two Cashmere students, two parents and one past student were victims of the mosque attacks.
Rodney College students participated in Colour Your Day on Friday, March 22, made a peace sign on the field and paid their respects with a prayer, two-minute silence and haka.
A two-minute silence at Pakiri School.
At Otamatea High School, students held a fast on March 22 and raised $300 for the Christchurch Mayoral Fund, Our People, Our City.
At Pakiri and Tapora, students held hands and observed a two-minute silence on March 22. One of the first steps taken at Wellsford School was to make sure staff felt confident and equipped to handle any conversations with students that might arise. An email from a child psychologist, which discussed how best to talk to children after a tragedy like Christchurch, was circulated. On March 22, children dressed in bright and cheerful colours, and joined together to support Christchurch during their prearranged house picnics.
A two-minute silence at Warkworth Primary School was followed by an address by principal Cynthia Holden who expressed the hope that love would replace hate. Afterwards, children linked arms in a show of unity.
Kaipara Flats ran programmes focusing on kindness and inclusion. A two-minute silence was observed under shady trees. Students held hands in a circle and then sang Tutiri Mai Nga Iwi, which speaks of people standing together.
Town Hall show
The ever-popular White Chapel Jak.
Days after the Christchurch shootings, Warkworth Town Hall facilitator Alex Hayward woke up and thought, “We’ve got the venue – why don’t we have a fundraising concert?”
The result of that early morning idea is Love For Christchurch, a night of music and entertainment headlined by renowned covers band White Chapel Jak, this Thursday, April 4.
The show will open at 6.30pm with a performance by the Mahurangi College senior kapa haka group.
They will be followed by Aysha, an acoustic ukulele player from Matakana, and popular local singer and guitarist Andy Richards, before White Chapel Jak takes to the stage. Alex says that all artists involved in the concert hadn’t hesitated to get involved.
All musicians are performing for free so that all proceeds can go to Christchurch. Tickets cost $15 and are available from Warkworth Town Hall and Harts Pharmacy, or can be reserved online via the Town Hall Facebook page. Doors open at 5.30pm and refreshments will be available. There will also be a book of condolence open at the Town Hall for anyone to sign.
Social services open doors to Muslims
Mahurangi social services have reiterated their availability to support Muslim families and individuals suffering any fallout from the massacre in Christchurch.
Homebuilders Family Support Services coordinator Quentin Jukes says while no Muslims have specifically sought Homebuilders services in the wake of the attacks, Homebuilders has the capacity to help.
This includes offering a skilled and qualified person to talk through any issues a family may have, including those who may be suffering harassment and abuse because of their race or faith.
Meanwhile, the Women’s Centre Rodney has a cultural support group that is open to all migrant women.
In a statement, the centre’s board says the group offers a safe place to talk and learn about New Zealand culture and how to deal with challenges women may face in the community.
“Any woman, regardless of ethnicity, religious beliefs, sexuality, age or personal circumstances who feels isolated, unsafe or disconnected from others is welcome,” the board says.
The Citizen’s Advice Bureau in Wellsford also welcomes enquiries from Muslims seeking support.
Manager Janny Baker says the service offers a legal clinic and can give advice on immigration matters.
The bureau can also advise on the range of counselling services available from other agencies.
Mr Jukes says we all need to be conscious of our own behaviour when it comes to racism and not assume that is purely a problem connected with extremists.
“It is very easy to see ourselves as normal and okay, and that everybody else as somehow not okay,” he says.
“The fact is, everybody is okay and is a human and deserves to be treated as a human and as an equal.”
