MANGAWHAI'S NO.1 NEWSPAPER
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In unity with ChristchurchBY JULIA WADE
Friday March 15; a date that will forever stand out in New Zealand’s history as a day of great tragedy and sorrow after the incomprehensible violence in Christchurch. Along with the rest of country, Mangawhai grieved and expressed their condemnation for the act of violence that extinguished the lives of 50 innocent people, and compassion and support for the families whose lives were irrevocably changed by the lone gunman, whose name shall not be mentioned. Along with people undoubtedly honouring the victims in their own private way, local social media lit up with posts of outrage, sympathy and love, as well ideas on how to honour the dead and their families so far away from the South Island city. With a post beginning ‘We are all ONE’, locals online agreed Mangawhai Information Centre along Molesworth Drive would be a central space for people to ‘leave our tokens of love for our Christchurch whanau’. Carpeted in a bed of silver ferns, the covered wooden kiosk became a sacred place of tributes, offerings, flowers and words of compassion. ‘It felt important to be able to do something to lessen the grief and spread the love, Kia Kaha’ says one Facebook user. Another stated ‘I am gutted and devastated at the horrific shooting. Want to stand as one in support with those affected while giving thanks for what we have here’. The author met with a few friends at Mangawhai Heads Surf Beach on the evening of March 17, and with covered heads ‘as a sign of respect and solidarity to the faith of those affected’, gave a karakia, waiata and a moments silence to the coastline before laying woven flax flowers on the shores rocks in tribute. One thread of online discussion involved how even throwaway comments such as the often proclaimed putdowns of Aucklander’s could flicker hate. ‘Just keep this in mind… every bit of prejudice and ideology starts with a small spark… which can lead to the next level… if you are not shaming even the smallest bit of stupidity, racism or hatred… then you are complicit’. Mangawhai Anglican Church had a special moment in their Sunday service on March 17, lighting a singular candle in remembrance. The candle will continue to be lit every time members gather until Easter, as a show of solidarity with the Muslim community and to hold out the hope ‘that love will overcome the hatred’. Kaiwaka war memorial hall also became the scene of prayer, song and remembrance on March 24, after an open invitation for ‘all denominations and all community's’ were welcome to attend. ‘We send our deepest sympathy to whanau throughout NZ that have families or friends directly involved in this tragedy that should never have happened… let us unite’. The New Zealand flag at half mast at The Hub, Mangawhai Village. The community observed a two minute silence on March 22, a week after the deadly shots rang out. – PHOTO/Julia Wade |