'We are one': Thousands gather in Hawke's Bay to remember terror victims

Thousands in Hawke's Bay braved the hot early afternoon sunshine on Monday in a moving civic response to the Christchurch mosque shootings.

A message of strength and unity was evident throughout the speeches in both Napier and Hastings.

In Napier, more than 1200 people gathered for more than half an hour for what was both a tribute and an outpouring of support for the stricken Muslim, migrant and Christchurch communities hit hardest by the tragedy, commonly also referred to as an attack also on all of New Zealand.

Crowds started arriving more than 30 minutes before Napier mayor Bill Dalton's 1pm opening of the commemoration, excusing the absence of Napier MP and Minister of Police Stuart Nash, who, he said to some applause, was in Wellington at a Cabinet meeting discussing possible changes to gun laws.

In expressing his apology, Nash had told the mayor the shooting was "an act of terrorism" by an individual intent on spreading a message of hate.

Other speakers were kaumātua Tiwana Aranui, opening in English and finishing with a karakia in Māori and speaking on behalf of the Māori and wider Napier community, Māori Catholic Mission representative Charles Ropitini, Rt Rev Erice Fairbrother, standing-in for the Dean of Waiapu, Hawke's Bay Multi-Cultural Association vice-president Jenny Too, Indonesian Muslim community spokesman Riza Ambadar, and Syed Khurram Iqbal of the Hawke's Bay Islamic Centre mosque.

Hastings Mayor, Sandra Hazelhurst spoke at a memorial service on Monday afternoon. Photo / Duncan Brown.

Among the crowd, which extended from seating in front of the Soundshell to well into the area between the Veronica Sun Bay and Marine Parade were about 20 other Islamic Centre members.

They included trustee Muhammed Nayeem and Ahimed Nur, a former pupil in Fiji of slain victim Musa Patel. A contingent of Napier Boys' High School prefects included Sikh community member Sukhjinder Singh, who had spoken at a school gathering earlier in the day.

With national security still on high alert, two armed police officers stood unobtrusively along the seafront's path and cycle way 50-100m beyond the Soundshell, and three to four others were in the crowd spilling onto the Marine Parade footpath.

School students handed out olive branches as a symbol of peace in Hastings. Photo / Duncan Brown.

The common concerns were highlighted by Aranui, who talked of the need to maintain a safe New Zealand for the sake of the mokopuna, to the words of Syed Iqbal reflecting on talking with daughter Syeda Waneeya, an 8-year-old at school in Taradale with hopes for her future in a safe New Zealand.

In Hastings, more than 600 people - both young and old, and of all denominations and nationalities came together as one.

They came with flowers and signs and hearts heavy with grief from the events of the past few days.

Together they wept, and promised each other it would never happen again.

Heartfelt sentiments were shared and olive branches were handed out in a moving symbol of peace.

"We stand with you in sharing the grief and pain of these dark days," St Andrew's Presbyterian Church Reverend Jill McDonald said.

"We stand with you in peace and unity and we will do all that we can to ensure that you feel safe and loved here in your city. This is your home. This is our home together."
She reiterated the message repeated many times over the past few days: "We are united as one; in love, peace and hope".

Hastings District Councillors, members of the Muslim community, and children from a number of schools in the area were among those in attendance.

Hawke's Bay Baitul Mokarram Masjid and Islamic Centre Trust board of trustee member and president, Sayeed Ahmed, again represented his community.

His words were one of sadness and hope.

"We are thankful for the kindness and support we have been shown. New Zealanders have come out to show their solidarity and love for others including the minority community."

"The terrorist didn't just attack the Muslims in the mosque, he attacked the hearts of New Zealand people," Ahmed said.

"We love New Zealand. New Zealand is our home. It is well known that New Zealand is the most safest and beautiful place in the world - it does not matter what belief you have."

Muslim community waits for mosque to re-open

Members of Hawke's Bay's Muslim community are anxiously awaiting the green light for their mosque to re-open.

However, the events last Friday have left them feeling "scared to pray".

Hawke's Bay Baitul Mokarram Masjid and Islamic Centre Trust board of trustee member and president, Ahmed said he hoped it will be open by Friday.

"We want to make sure it is safe for our community."

Hastings mayor Sandra Hazelhurst said they will help the Muslim community in "any way we can".

She said they will help ensure the mosque is safe for the community to come back and pray.

"We are going to provide our kaitiaki and our City Assist leaders to help at the prayer time."