Response to Christchurch shootings

"Auckland stands with Christchurch and with the Muslim community across New Zealand," says Auckland Mayor Phil Goff.

"We acknowledge our city’s strong Muslim community and stand united with the community in grief and solidarity.

“Auckland Council is working closely with the police and the central government to ensure public safety. Auckland Emergency Management has been activated, and our Emergency Coordination Centre is operating.

“Over the weekend I met with Muslim community leaders and the police and offered them Auckland Council’s support and assistance. This morning I did the same at the Zayed College for Girls in Mangere.

"Auckland has come together to support our Muslim community. The council has also made available condolence books in various locations around Auckland to give Aucklanders the opportunity to express their messages of support for the victims, their families and their community.

"Auckland and New Zealand are places of peace," says Mayor Goff.

I am more determined than ever to give nothing to racism, and to ensure the world knows that Auckland and New Zealand is wonderfully diverse, where people of all ethnicities and faiths are welcome.”

Auckland Mayor Phil Goff signs a condolence book for communities affected by the Christchurch shootings.

Auckland Council supports staff

Auckland Council is working to support its staff following Friday’s tragic shootings in Christchurch.

The council’s Muslim Staff Network has met with senior council staff and elected representatives to advise on how staff can best support Muslim colleagues, friends and family members, and the wider community.

Staff from across the council and council-controlled organisations will hold one-minute’s silence ceremonies, waiata meetings and prayer meetings throughout the week.

Condolence books

Condolence books have been set up at the six community centres listed below and the Auckland Town Hall. They will be open for the rest of this week from 9am to 4pm daily. This list will be updated if more condolence books are opened at further locations.

Condolence book locations

• Auckland Town Hall

• Te Atatū Peninsula Community Centre, 595 Te Atatū Road, Te Atatū Peninsula

• New Lynn Community Centre. 45 Tōtara Avenue, New Lynn

• Ellen Melville Centre, 2 Freyberg Place, Auckland

• Wesley Community Centre, 740 Sandringham Road extension, Sandringham

• Onehunga Community Centre, 83 Church Street, Onehunga

• Te Puke o Tara Community Centre, 20 Newbury Street, Ōtara.

A condolence book has been set up in the Auckland Town Hall for people to provide messages of support. Other condolence books have been set up at community centres around the region.

Flags at half-mast

All flags on Auckland Council buildings continue to fly at half-mast and many events were cancelled this weekend out of respect for the victims of the tragedy.

Communications response

Auckland Emergency Management staff are working to support the New Zealand Police and the National Crisis Management Centre to coordinate communications with the public, including sharing information between police and other welfare agencies about event cancellations and welfare information.

Other events

St-Matthew-in-the-City is hosting a vigil on Monday March 18 from 5pm to 8pm. More information will be advertised in the coming days.

We will provide updates about the status of upcoming events, including news of any cancellations, as soon as this information is confirmed.

Donations

Auckland Council and the Muslim Staff Network are advising staff who want to make donations to support victims of the tragedy to contribute to fundraising pages at LaunchGood and Givealittle. Christchurch Mayor Lianne Dalziel has also launched a fund “Our People, Our City” to raise money to support the families and Muslim communities affected by the tragedy.

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