Kia ora koutou katoa
Assalam Aleikum
Can I begin by acknowledging the 51 shuhada, their families, the injured, and all those who were witness to, or affected by, the terrorist attack of 15 March, 2019.
I am pleased to be here with my colleague Cr Anne Galloway.
Can I also acknowledge and thank the sponsors and supporters:
• Datacom – your valued support which comes in so many ways is appreciated and makes a difference.
• Mitre 10 – for the NZ Community of the Year Award and the sponsorship, along with the practical help with the Home Maintenance learning programme – we thank you.
• I acknowledge all the government and council support – MSD, CCC Parks and Gardens, Ministry of Ethnic Communities.
• And many other organisations who have volunteered their time and expertise such as MenzShed Halswell, and Total Training Ltd.
I said yesterday at the launch of Islamic Awareness Week that I am incredibly proud to be the Mayor of our city as we come up to the third anniversary of the terrorist attack of 15th of March 2019 and all that followed.
I spoke of the organisations that had sprung from that day as having been born of tragedy, inspired by compassion and empowered by generosity. The 15th March Whanau Trust is one of those.
The fact that we are honouring members of the community with We Are One awards is humbling
I have seen Muslim women and men taking leadership roles as agents of change supporting initiatives that are focused on bringing communities together in their healing, and building a better future where all can belong.
Three years on I see the pain of the terror attack that has been relived so often – the burials – the trial of the terrorist – the not-guilty then last minute guilty plea – and the impact statements – we watched your courage, your pain and your faith when you spoke your truth.
We could not imagine ourselves in your position, but we felt the intensity of your pain and the power of your courage in your words and how you delivered them - and then the verdict followed by the threat of appeal, empty though it was
And now the Coronial inquiry. I read a thread on Twitter last night written yesterday afternoon – a woman who lost her brother, but it could have been anyone of you.
Time and time again she has asked for information.
Information that has been denied on the grounds of the authorities not wanting to cause her more distress. As if they could. She says, ‘let me decide what I want to see and don’t want to see’.
And She must be allowed to decide that for herself. It is about agency. She is entitled to act on her own behalf and not have to confront an authority that strips even that from her.
I cried late last night when I read what she wanted to know to help her navigate her grief. The bravery of her brother as he confronted a terrorist. And I am appalled this was withheld from her, as I know information has been from others.
I hope that as a result of this inquiry that no family ever has to go through this again, and I will do all I can to help ensure that happens.
Three years on there are people who are still living with their pain and fear, but there is also hope for the future. You have come so far while dealing with so much.
It is good to be part of an event that acknowledges all of that, while looking and moving forward. The Empowerment Project is all about taking back some control – that all-important sense of agency – an important message for the government and the council – it’s about supporting communities doing things for themselves not doing things for them or to them. Nothing about us without us is a phrase that implores decision-makers to be inclusive. An that is what we honour tonight.
Last night I mentioned the message a resident posted in response to the announcement of Islamic Awareness Week and Unity Week as the community’s way of commemorating March 15, 2019:
“I’m happy that the bereaved families have made their voices heard & been listened to. I don’t yet have the words apart from saying I am here & I stand with you.”
And that represents the feelings of so many people. To her the words ‘I am here & I stand with you’ may not seem enough, but they represent our collective determination expressed at that time not to be divided by hate, but to be united by love.
I am here & I stand with you.
When I reflect on that time three years ago, as I said last night, I think of those who turned up for the Call to Prayer one week after the attack.
The wider community wasn’t asked to come; they weren’t invited – they just came – in their thousands. It was the most powerful expression of solidarity I have ever witnessed. And we all felt it.
I am here – says I am present, I empathise with you, I recognise your humanity and I love you as a brother or a sister. And I stand with you – says I support you, I will walk alongside you, I will defend you, I have got your back.
I am here and I stand with you.
We are here and we stand together.
Assalam Aleikum
Assalam Aleikum
Can I begin by acknowledging the 51 shuhada, their families, the injured, and all those who were witness to, or affected by, the terrorist attack of 15 March, 2019.
I am pleased to be here with my colleague Cr Anne Galloway.
Can I also acknowledge and thank the sponsors and supporters:
• Datacom – your valued support which comes in so many ways is appreciated and makes a difference.
• Mitre 10 – for the NZ Community of the Year Award and the sponsorship, along with the practical help with the Home Maintenance learning programme – we thank you.
• I acknowledge all the government and council support – MSD, CCC Parks and Gardens, Ministry of Ethnic Communities.
• And many other organisations who have volunteered their time and expertise such as MenzShed Halswell, and Total Training Ltd.
I said yesterday at the launch of Islamic Awareness Week that I am incredibly proud to be the Mayor of our city as we come up to the third anniversary of the terrorist attack of 15th of March 2019 and all that followed.
I spoke of the organisations that had sprung from that day as having been born of tragedy, inspired by compassion and empowered by generosity. The 15th March Whanau Trust is one of those.
The fact that we are honouring members of the community with We Are One awards is humbling
I have seen Muslim women and men taking leadership roles as agents of change supporting initiatives that are focused on bringing communities together in their healing, and building a better future where all can belong.
Three years on I see the pain of the terror attack that has been relived so often – the burials – the trial of the terrorist – the not-guilty then last minute guilty plea – and the impact statements – we watched your courage, your pain and your faith when you spoke your truth.
We could not imagine ourselves in your position, but we felt the intensity of your pain and the power of your courage in your words and how you delivered them - and then the verdict followed by the threat of appeal, empty though it was
And now the Coronial inquiry. I read a thread on Twitter last night written yesterday afternoon – a woman who lost her brother, but it could have been anyone of you.
Time and time again she has asked for information.
Information that has been denied on the grounds of the authorities not wanting to cause her more distress. As if they could. She says, ‘let me decide what I want to see and don’t want to see’.
And She must be allowed to decide that for herself. It is about agency. She is entitled to act on her own behalf and not have to confront an authority that strips even that from her.
I cried late last night when I read what she wanted to know to help her navigate her grief. The bravery of her brother as he confronted a terrorist. And I am appalled this was withheld from her, as I know information has been from others.
I hope that as a result of this inquiry that no family ever has to go through this again, and I will do all I can to help ensure that happens.
Three years on there are people who are still living with their pain and fear, but there is also hope for the future. You have come so far while dealing with so much.
It is good to be part of an event that acknowledges all of that, while looking and moving forward. The Empowerment Project is all about taking back some control – that all-important sense of agency – an important message for the government and the council – it’s about supporting communities doing things for themselves not doing things for them or to them. Nothing about us without us is a phrase that implores decision-makers to be inclusive. An that is what we honour tonight.
Last night I mentioned the message a resident posted in response to the announcement of Islamic Awareness Week and Unity Week as the community’s way of commemorating March 15, 2019:
“I’m happy that the bereaved families have made their voices heard & been listened to. I don’t yet have the words apart from saying I am here & I stand with you.”
And that represents the feelings of so many people. To her the words ‘I am here & I stand with you’ may not seem enough, but they represent our collective determination expressed at that time not to be divided by hate, but to be united by love.
I am here & I stand with you.
When I reflect on that time three years ago, as I said last night, I think of those who turned up for the Call to Prayer one week after the attack.
The wider community wasn’t asked to come; they weren’t invited – they just came – in their thousands. It was the most powerful expression of solidarity I have ever witnessed. And we all felt it.
I am here – says I am present, I empathise with you, I recognise your humanity and I love you as a brother or a sister. And I stand with you – says I support you, I will walk alongside you, I will defend you, I have got your back.
I am here and I stand with you.
We are here and we stand together.
Assalam Aleikum