Mayor Phil Goff says, “Our thoughts go out to the victims, their families and their communities. We share their grief and sorrow and pass on our sympathy and love.
“We grieve with those who have lost loved ones and send our support to those who wait by bedsides for the injured to safely recover.
“As a nation we grieve for the loss of innocence in our country. We are a safe haven for all cultures, a place of peace where people can go about their lives in relative safety. We will not allow one sick and disgusting individual to define our nation.
“Today Auckland stands with the Muslim community and Christchurch. We have offered our support and assistance to Christchurch and in Auckland the police are working with the Muslim community to ensure they are supported and safe during this troubling time.”
That support is being provided through our emergency management function as part Auckland Civil Defence and Emergency management.
“We remember the victims of this tragedy in different ways. Some events will go on and provide an opportunity for Kiwis to join together and mourn this senseless loss of life. Other events have been cancelled as a mark of respect.
“The peace vigil in Aotea Square today will provide an opportunity for all Aucklanders to gather and remember those who have lost their lives. It will be a moment to show our solidarity and our commitment to diversity and tolerance for all cultures.
“We will stand together with all Muslims in New Zealand and condemn the actions of madness and violence that have no place in our country,” Phil Goff says.
Several Auckland Council events have been cancelled out of respect to New Zealand’s Muslim community and to allow police resources to be deployed to where they are most needed.
“The police have said that given the heightened security risk and with other activities happening across the city in response, they would prefer to have more police on the streets and concentrate their resources where it matters,” says Mayor Phil Goff.
Events cancelled this weekend are:
- Rock in the Park at Grey Lynn Park today
- Movies in Park at Woodall Park, Norrow neck today.
- Brass in the Falls – Henderson – tomorrow.
Non-council events cancelled by organisers
- Polyfest – Manukau Sportsbowl, Manukau
- St Patrick’s Day parade – Queen Street tomorrow.
Other
Condolence books have been set up for those several community centres which are open until 4pm today at Te Atatu Peninsula, New Lyn, Ellen Melville, Wesley, Onehunga and Te Puke O Tara Community Centres.
- If people are concerned about friends or family call 0800 115 019
- For anyone needing wellbeing/mental health support or advice text 1737
- People can register missing persons or themselves as alive at this link
- Monitor the NZ Police website for information
- Anything suspicious call 111.
