Auckland Council stands with Christchurch
Response to Christchurch shootings
Condolence books for people to send messages of support to our Muslim communities and the people of Christchurch are now available in the locations below.
- 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
- Blockhouse Bay Library, 578 Blockhouse Bay Road
- Te Puke o Tara Community Centre, 20 Newbury Street, Ōtara
- О̄rākei Community Centre, 156 Kepa Road, О̄rākei
- Waiheke Library, 131-133 Ocean View Rd, Oneroa, Waiheke Island
- Albany Community Hub, 575 Albany Highway, Thursday 21 March to Monday 25 March, 9.30am to 2.30pm
- Devonport Community House, 32 Clarence Street, Thursday 21 March to Friday 22 March, 9.30am to 2.30pm.
There is also a Book of Remembrance at the ground floor reception area of Auckland Council's building at 135 Albert Street. Beyond this, many libraries have informal displays where people can write messages of support.
More condolence books are being organised and this list will be progressively updated.
National Day of Remembrance
A nationwide reflection for those killed in the Christchurch terror attack will be held tomorrow, Friday 22 March.
The Muslim Call to Prayer at 1.30pm will be followed by a two-minute silence at 1.32pm, at Hagley Park, opposite the Al Noor Mosque in Deans Ave, Christchurch. This will be broadcast widely with New Zealanders encouraged to join in wherever they may be. Find out more here.
Mayor Phil Goff to visit mosques
Auckland Mayor Phil Goff will join thousands of Aucklanders on Friday and through the weekend visiting mosques and attending vigils remembering those who tragically lost their lives in the Christchurch shootings.
“After this devastating tragedy, it is incredibly important that we reaffirm our belief in a nation where people are free to follow their faith and express their cultural identity," he says.
“This is a time for us to confirm our support for a multi-cultural and multi-faith city and nation.
“With Auckland mosques opening their doors to Aucklanders tomorrow, we have the opportunity to meet, talk and show our solidarity and commitment to the Muslim community.
“I hope that as many people as possible can take up the chance to visit one of the mosques and to express to those hosting us our sympathy and support for them at this difficult time," he says.
“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 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.
Mosques welcome Aucklanders to remember
Mosques in the four corners of Auckland will open their doors on Friday night for people of all faiths to gather in remembrance of the 50 lives lost in the Christchurch shootings.
Between 5pm and 8pm people are welcome at:
- Ponsonby Masjid, 17 Vermont St, Ponsonby
- Ranui Mosque, 31 Armada Dr, Ranui
- North Shore Islamic Centre, 9 Kaimahi Rd, Wairau Valley
- Masjid Abu Bakr Al-Siddiq: 5b Cortina Pl, Pakuranga.
Visitors are asked to dress modestly and to remove your shoes before entering the mosque. You are welcome to wear a scarf but it is not essential.
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
We will provide updates about the status of upcoming events, including news of any cancellations, as soon as information is confirmed.
Auckland Regional Health Service has advised that Auckland currently has measles cases. If you’re feeling sick with a runny nose, fever, cough or red eyes, you should stay away from public gatherings to prevent putting other people at risk. Find out more here.
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.