April 11, 2019
Spiritual support from Ngāi Tahu as Muslims recover
The critical role of Ngāi Tahu in helping respond to the Christchurch mosque shootings has been acknowledged by the Prime Minister.
Jacinda Ardern says the day after 50 people were killed at two mosques she visited the city to visit the families.
With Crown Māori Relations Minister Kelvin Davis she also met Ngāi Tahu and got an immediate offer of support, which was followed through including blessing the mosques before they were handed.
"Every time I have visited the places, the welfare centres, where those families and victims' families have gathered there has been a strong presence from the Māori community. That has been in the form of moral support but much more than that almost a form of spiritual support as well and an acknowledgement of the targeting they felt and experienced. I think it runs very deep and I think it will be long lasting," Ms Ardern says.
The almost unanimous vote this week to pass a law banning military style semi automatic weapons and assault cases was a sign it was a change that needed to happen.
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