Manawatū College responded to call for school to perform nationwide haka

At precisely 1.40pm on Friday afternoon, a week after the gunman started shooting at Kiwi Muslims praying in a Christchurch mosque, students at Foxton's Manawatū College began performing their school haka in honour of those who died so tragically.

They formed part of a nationwide chain of schools performing the haka as part of their memorial services for the dead.

Prior to that the school held a two minute silence. This was preceded by a karakia and a short speech by principal Bruce McIntyre to explain why they were doing this memorial.

Afterwards Deputy principal Gilbert Hokianga spoke about things students could do to process what happened and to show support to one another.

McIntyre said the school had held a special assembly on Monday morning to help the students cope with what they'd seen and heard.

"At our regular assembly on Tuesday morning we collected $500 from the students and staff. That money will go to Cashmere High School, who had students who lost parents in the terror attacks.

"It will be used to help the families of the victims who had kids at that school," he said.