March 28, 2019
Cat Stevens, Marlon Williams for Christchurch memorial
Ngāi Tahu is set to take a leading role in tomorrow's national memorial service at Hagley Park for those killed at two Christchurch mosques a fortnight ago.
Ngāi Tahu Rūnanga operations manager Julian Wilcox says the iwi has made a long term commitment to support the families of the victims and the Muslim community in Ōtautahi.
He says Ngāi Tūāhuriri hapū will welcome the whānau pani and other visitors, and has worked closely with the Muslim community, Christchurch Council and central government in organising the event.
There is a real air of expectation, especially now people have heard which artists will perform.
"Yusuf Islam isn't even based in New Zealand, but to have someone like him, Cat Stevens come along is a big thing and our sister Maisey Rika, the brother Teeks and Hollie Smith, and of course the local boy, our Ngāi Tahu boy Marlon Williams, for him to come along and be a part as well shows this is a locally-hosted event by Christchurch City Council and Ngāi Tahu but it is for a national purpose, potentially international as well," Mr Wilcox says.
The one-hour national memorial service starts at 10am, and many other centres plan to link in or have their own services at that time.
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