Police community come together to mourn tsunami victims

New Zealand Police have organised a church service in Auckland city to provide staff, families and their communities the opportunity to mourn the passing of family and friends who have been victims of the tsunami that hit Samoa and Tonga last week.

The service will take place at St. John's Samoan Methodist Church in Auckland on Thursday 8 October and be officiated by Methodist Minister, the Reverend Faleatua. He will be assisted by police chaplain, the Reverend Tavale Matai'a and police Commissioner, Howard Broad. The date and timing of the service will run simultaneously with the national remembrance service in Samoa.

Police National Manager, Maori, Pacific and Ethnic Services (MPES), Superintendent Wallace Haumaha says, "with over 600 staff of pacific descent, police are one of the largest employers of pacific people. We are acutely aware that many of them are affected by the unfortunate events of the past week. The ongoing situation in Samoa and Tonga are devastating to each and every one of them and the service will allow them time to mourn. The Auckland region is particularly impacted given its composition of pacific staff."

Invitations have been extended to various elected members, both the Samoan and Tongan Consul Generals, their respective High Commissioners in Wellington and various community leaders. Police thank the Methodist Church of New Zealand for the use of their facilities.

There are a total of 18 police staff in Samoa already where they are a key part of providing inter-agency co-ordination and support for the Government of Samoa.

ENDS

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