British backpacker Grace Millane's body found in West Auckland's Waitakere Ranges
Vigils for slain British backpacker Grace Millane are being planned in Auckland and the capital following the discovery of her body yesterday in the Waitakere Ranges.
Auckland Council manager of events David Burt confirmed the council had been notified of two to-be-confirmed vigils for Millane this week.
One, a candlelight vigil, at 6pm on Wednesday, December 12, at St Patrick's Square off Wyndham St, and another at midday on Saturday, December 15 on Queen St.
"We are working with Auckland Transport and the police on arrangements for both of these events," Burt said.
White Ribbon manager Rob McCann encouraged Aucklanders to join the vigil at St Patrick's Square to stand together and say "time's up on the violence, intimidation and the senseless waste of beautiful lives all around the world".
"Our thoughts go out to the Millane family whose grief will be unimaginable," he said.
"So many New Zealanders have been horrified as this story has unfolded. This is a time to stand together, share that pain and show our compassion for Grace and her family."
In New Zealand, as many as 14 women were killed in domestic violence each year, with many more passing through hospitals with serious injuries, he said.
"Police instigate over 3,500 family violence incidents every year. That amounts to 41 per cent of a frontline officer's time.
"The challenge for our country, is that we must be more than horrified. We must act."
Auckland's Sky Tower will also be lit in white from tonight through to Wednesday night "as a symbol of support and love to Grace's family and all those who have lost loved ones to violence", a spokeswoman said.
A vigil for Millane was also planned in Wellington's Civic Square on Wednesday from 5.30pm.
"Wellingtonians will gather in solidarity with an Auckland event at the same time, to express grief at the murder of Grace Millane and send her family a message of love in this unbearable time," the event said.
More details would be confirmed in the coming hours.
A spokesperson for Lucie Blackman Trust, which was supporting the Millane family, said they were amazed at the outpouring of condolences from New Zealand.
Flowers lie on Scenic Drive near where Grace Millane's her body was found. Photo / Doug Sherring
Anyone wishing to mark Grace Millane's death or send a message to the family could do so by emailing matt@lbtrust.org.
Today, flowers were laid at the spot police found the body they believed to be Millane's.
Serah James and Otto Matiseni visited the site this morning to pay their respects.
