Levin policewoman Courtney Maine was at the entrance to Te Takere o kura-hau-po for the memorial service held for the victims of the Christchurch massacre.
Levin policewoman Courtney Maine was at the entrance to Te Takere o kura-hau-po for the memorial service held for the victims of the Christchurch massacre.
A memorial service in Levin to honour those killed in the Christchurch massacre was cut short when school children and members of the public were asked to leave early amid security fears.
Moments earlier, Horowhenua Mayor Michael Feyen spoke on the need for unity in the wake of the Christchurch massacre, just metres away from where heavily armed police stood at the door.
Area commander Sarah Stewart said originally police were told the service was to run between 9.30am and 10am, and to provide the appropriate police presence during that time.
But when organisers invited people to stay and watch a live stream of the Christchurch service at 10am on a big screen, everyone was told to leave and watch it at home.
Commander Stewart said police were unaware of the extended timeframe, and were obliged to ask everyone to disband in what was a national directive.
Heavily armed police stood at both main entrances to the library throughout the service.
Horowhenua District Council communications officer Lacey Winiata said council had spent two weeks working with the local Muslim community and police to organise an event that would be appropriate and safe.
Some women who were not Muslim chose to wear head scarves as their own mark of respect for those who died.
Levin woman Alesa Hansen said she felt it an appropriate way of marking her respects to those who died.
Levin woman Alesa Hansen wore a scarf to the memorial service as she though it was an appropriate mark of respect to the Muslim community.
"I think it was terrible what happened, and it could've been anyone. I think it is appropriate as a mark of respect," she said.
Horowhenua District Councillor Jo Mason also wore a head scarf.
"Without kindness...if you want kindness, you have to be kind. If you want courage, you have to be courageous. If you want love, you have to be loving," she said.
Horowhenua District Councillor Jo Mason attended the memorial service.
"If we breath, we belong, and we have to be champions of unity, and guardians of unity, and we need common unity to build a community."
Mayor Feyen said New Zealand and the world was rocked by the tragedy that unfolded in Christchurch, where so many lives were taken.
"However, despite the fact our hearts were breaking, our community and collective spirit will not and has not been broken," he said.
"Here in Horowhenua we are made up of many different communities, ethnicities, religions and neighbourhoods. But it is those differences that make us so special. It is those differences that we must celebrate and relish in."
Horowhenua Mayor Michael Feyen at the memorial service.
"Racism and xenophobia have no place in New Zealand or anywhere else. As a country this event has woken us all up to the severe social impact such behaviours and actions of a few had had on fellow New Zealanders," he said.
"We must learn from this and all move forward together to ensure a positive multi-cultural society.
"As Mayor, I am trustful that we will remain united in our support for each other as human beings."
This was followed by a sing-a-long to Tutira Mai, and a solo performance from Levin singer-songwriter Corrbyn Jane with her song They Are Us, written hours after she heard of the tragedy.
