April 10 2019

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Council humbled by Porirua’s response to Christchurch terror attacks

Porirua City Council has been humbled by the outpouring of love and kindness from the community after the Friday afternoon of March 15.

Mayor Mike Tana said the city’s people had gone the extra mile in reaching out to one another to start the process of recovery from the terror attack in Christchurch.

“On behalf of the Council and the city I would like to thank everyone who has stepped forward to help our city and our country start the process of recovering from the events of a few weeks ago.

“From the messaging in books of condolence at Pātaka and our city’s libraries, to lining the drive up to the mosque in Waitangirua with flowers, it’s been wonderful to see how the city has united as one.

“The outstanding aspects of this city has always been its community spirit, and to see so many people, of all ages, backgrounds and ethnicities coming forward to show their solidarity with our Muslim brothers and sisters has shown just how strong that spirit really is.”

Mayor Tana also paid tribute to the city’s schools, many of which had both literally and metaphorically joined hands on March 22, taking part in a minutes silence and synchronised haka, part of a national day of mourning for the 50 lives lost in Christchurch.

“As a Council we have been particularly impressed by the way our young people have shown such mana in uniting to pay tribute to the victims of the terror attacks.

“The maturity and the spirit they have shown is an example to all of us.”

Mayor Tana said the diverse ways the city’s people had lent a hand to one another through this mourning process encapsulated the relevance of a key aim of the recently introduced Growth Strategy, to be a diverse and inclusive city.

“What happened in Christchurch was an absolute tragedy, but as a country and a city we have grown closer since that fateful day, and will all be stronger in the future.”

ENDS

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