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Version 6 Version 7
New Zealand mosque attack: alleged gunman bought four firearms online – live New Zealand mosque attack: alleged gunman bought four firearms online – live
(32 minutes later)
A Muslim leader is speaking now, I didn’t catch his name but will update when I can. Two lovely tributes here for the victims of the attacks in Christchurch on Friday. The first is from students and staff at Orewa College in Auckland, who form the Māori phrase ‘Kia Kaha’ (stay strong) and a love heart.
The second comes from students of the St Paul’s College Samoan Group who performed this Methodist hymn which was also sung in Samoa after the tsunami struck in 2009 killing 22 people.
The group were in Auckland for Polyfest , a large event featuring music, dance, speech and costume, from different Pacific Island cultures. Polyfest was held last week, but the final day was cancelled due to the Christchurch attack.
“Nothing will compare to the pain and agony that’s going down in Christchurch,” said AJ Tuipe’a, Deputy Head Boy, St Paul’s College, before the group performed the song.
“Despite Polyfest being cancelled, even throughout our 6 long weeks of hard work, nothing will compare to the pain & agony that’s going down in Christchurch” - AJ Tuipe’a, Deputy Head Boy, St Pauls College pic.twitter.com/KBUMf6rpn0
Christchurch hospital encourages people to look after their mental health
David Meates, chief executive, Canterbury District Health Board, also had a message for people emotionally affected by the attack, saying they should look after themselves and those around them:
As the majority of us return to work and school today, it’s probably more important than ever that we connect, share our thoughts and experiences, and help each other process what has happened. Spend time with people you love and talk about how you’re feeling. Consider taking a digital detox and take a break from social media. Instead, focus on an activity you love or on the people around you.
Look after yourself and those around you and remember that people cope in different ways. Disasters and tragedies take their toll and our resilient Canterbury people have been through much in recent times. For some that may make things easier because of the coping skills they have learned, but for others it may bring back unwelcome feelings or add to their anxiety. Feeling on edge and upset right now is a completely normal reaction. Recovery is a marathon, not a sprint, so allow yourselves time and be kind to yourself and others – a simple kind act or generosity of spirit and the support you give others might come at just the right time to make all the difference to them.
Supporting our kids and whānau
Children take their cues of parents — so if you’re OK, they’ll be OK too …
Be mindful how much “worry” you’re displaying, just be as cool as you can!
Keep children away from the media.
Answer their questions pretty matter-of-factly and in very “general” terms. Drama it down. You don’t have to get the answers exactly right here. Ensure you talk too about the police and how they did a really good job of keeping us safe. Keep the reassurance low-key too – over-reassuring can make us think we need to be worrying more than we are!
Let them talk about it, but don’t let it “take over” – use distraction to keep their mind off it.
Stick to your normal routines as much as you can.
Children take their cues of parents — so if you’re OK, they’ll be OK too …
Be mindful how much “worry” you’re displaying, just be as cool as you can!
Keep children away from the media.
Answer their questions pretty matter-of-factly and in very “general” terms. Drama it down. You don’t have to get the answers exactly right here. Ensure you talk too about the police and how they did a really good job of keeping us safe. Keep the reassurance low-key too – over-reassuring can make us think we need to be worrying more than we are!
Let them talk about it, but don’t let it “take over” – use distraction to keep their mind off it.
Stick to your normal routines as much as you can.
If you want to talk to a trained counsellor, you can phone or text 1737 to be put through to a counsellor any time of the day or night. This is a free service for everyone.
Two people who were hospitalised after sustaining injuries in the mosque attacks have been discharged from Christchurch hospital and 31 remain in the hospital’s care, said David Meates, chief executive, Canterbury District Health Board.
The hospital is postponing a significant number of surgeries to free up space and staff for surgeries for those injured in the shootings.
Here’s that update:
We currently have 31 patients who were injured in the mosque attacks in Christchurch Hospital. Two people were well enough to go home and have been discharged today.
There are still 9 people in a critical condition in intensive care. We continue to transfer any that are well enough to go to other wards as we can. People injured in the mosque attacks are our priority for surgery and other specialist care over the coming days. There is still a 4 year old girl in a critical condition in Starship Hospital in Auckland, transferred there on Saturday. Her father has also been transferred to Auckland and remains in a serious but stable condition.
Christchurch Hospital has good capacity at present and we are well-staffed, but we are also conscious that many of our people have worked long hours and will have been profoundly affected by this tragedy too. We need to look after them so they can look after you.
We are still asking the public to appreciate the additional workload on all of our health system staff. The hospital is extremely busy, as is primary care – you should continue to make your general practice team your first point of call for all non-urgent care. Call the usual general practice number 24/7 and after hours, you can get advice from a nurse – they will tell you what to do and where to go if you need to be seen.
Today we are running all available acute theatres for the many people who need follow-up surgery or procedures due to the complex nature of their injuries.
This means that we are postponing a significant number of surgeries planned for Cantabrians and others to free up theatre space and surgical teams today. To those who have had their surgery postponed, thank you in advance for your generosity and understanding.
Outpatient appointments are going ahead as planned.
President of the Islamic Associations New Zealand Mustafa Farouk, has spoken about the desire for Muslims in Christchurch to have the bodies returned for burial.
“While our community is mourning, we are saddened, we are shocked, but as a community we are a resilient community. We know we are living in a country where we are welcome. One of the most beautiful, most peaceful countries in the world.”“While our community is mourning, we are saddened, we are shocked, but as a community we are a resilient community. We know we are living in a country where we are welcome. One of the most beautiful, most peaceful countries in the world.”
He says it is for this reason that he thinking the “right-wing individuals” behind these attacks chose New Zealand.He says it is for this reason that he thinking the “right-wing individuals” behind these attacks chose New Zealand.
“They picked our country for the same reason that we pride ourselves when we got and think it is the best country in the world... They want to bring friction, hatred, division in our country.”“They picked our country for the same reason that we pride ourselves when we got and think it is the best country in the world... They want to bring friction, hatred, division in our country.”
The leader says he has a message for those who want to sow hate: “They have failed woefully, because what they have done, if anything, is increase the love and the feeling we have for our country.The leader says he has a message for those who want to sow hate: “They have failed woefully, because what they have done, if anything, is increase the love and the feeling we have for our country.
“We have also felt the enormous outpouring of love, what we call aroha in New Zealand. There are no words to express the aroha we have experienced.”“We have also felt the enormous outpouring of love, what we call aroha in New Zealand. There are no words to express the aroha we have experienced.”
Police deputy commissioner Wally Haumaha is speaking to the press. He says they have been working through the night to try to get the bodies of the victims back to their families and to be ready for burial. Police deputy commissioner Wally Haumaha has spoken to the press. He says they have been working through the night to try to get the bodies of the victims back to their families and to be ready for burial.
He says two important blessings took place at the mosques where the attacks occurred, in preparation to reopen those mosques, when investigations are concluded.He says two important blessings took place at the mosques where the attacks occurred, in preparation to reopen those mosques, when investigations are concluded.
Police are hoping the mosques will be able to be open once again at the end of the week.Police are hoping the mosques will be able to be open once again at the end of the week.
New Zealand Jacinda Ardern is set to give a press conference at 4pm local time (in about one minute). We’ll have the updates of her press conference as soon as it’s live.New Zealand Jacinda Ardern is set to give a press conference at 4pm local time (in about one minute). We’ll have the updates of her press conference as soon as it’s live.
For those affected by Friday’s events, crisis support services can be reached 24 hours a day. In New Zealand, Lifeline can be reached on 0800 543 354. In Australia, Lifeline is 13 11 14. In the UK and Irish Republic, contact Samaritans on 116 123. In the US, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is 1-800-273-8255. Other international helplines can be found at www.befrienders.org.For those affected by Friday’s events, crisis support services can be reached 24 hours a day. In New Zealand, Lifeline can be reached on 0800 543 354. In Australia, Lifeline is 13 11 14. In the UK and Irish Republic, contact Samaritans on 116 123. In the US, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is 1-800-273-8255. Other international helplines can be found at www.befrienders.org.
Our reporters Melissa Davey and Eleanor Ainge Roy are on the ground in Christchurch and they say police commissioner Mike Bush has urged locals to return to their normal lives, to remain “vigilant” but to reject fear and reclaim the streets of their city.Our reporters Melissa Davey and Eleanor Ainge Roy are on the ground in Christchurch and they say police commissioner Mike Bush has urged locals to return to their normal lives, to remain “vigilant” but to reject fear and reclaim the streets of their city.
But it was hard for residents to embrace routine and normality when a fleet of diggers were fanning out around the city, striking sodden autumn earth to prepare 50 graves for the burials of the victims that would begin on Monday. Experts in Islamic burial rights also converged on the city.But it was hard for residents to embrace routine and normality when a fleet of diggers were fanning out around the city, striking sodden autumn earth to prepare 50 graves for the burials of the victims that would begin on Monday. Experts in Islamic burial rights also converged on the city.
A steady stream of mourners brought wreaths to lay at Linwood mosque, targetted on Friday by the gunman, where a blessing was held on Monday morning.A steady stream of mourners brought wreaths to lay at Linwood mosque, targetted on Friday by the gunman, where a blessing was held on Monday morning.
Then there were the hundreds upon hundreds of flowers lying on the grass on Dean’s Avenue, near Al Noor mosque.Then there were the hundreds upon hundreds of flowers lying on the grass on Dean’s Avenue, near Al Noor mosque.
Scott Morrison has ended his speech now with a Maori blessing, which means “stay strong”.Scott Morrison has ended his speech now with a Maori blessing, which means “stay strong”.
“That’s my plan for Australia,” says Morrison.“That’s my plan for Australia,” says Morrison.
Morrison is in electioneering mode now, saying he’ll visit the governor general soon “not for a cup of tea, well, we might have a cup of tea, but to ask him to call an election”.Morrison is in electioneering mode now, saying he’ll visit the governor general soon “not for a cup of tea, well, we might have a cup of tea, but to ask him to call an election”.
He’s talking about returning the budget to surplus, having a strong economy to provide services to all Australians without raising taxes.He’s talking about returning the budget to surplus, having a strong economy to provide services to all Australians without raising taxes.
“Now is not the time for economic experiments, if it ever is,” he says.“Now is not the time for economic experiments, if it ever is,” he says.
On he goes, it’s the Liberal party sales pitch.On he goes, it’s the Liberal party sales pitch.
“Debate about immigration is not the same as the debate about the value of multiculturalism,” said Morrison, who is reassuring the audience that having concern about managing immigration, particularly in a city like Melbourne, does not make people racist.“Debate about immigration is not the same as the debate about the value of multiculturalism,” said Morrison, who is reassuring the audience that having concern about managing immigration, particularly in a city like Melbourne, does not make people racist.
“Just because Australians are frustrated by traffic jams does not mean they are anti-migrant and racist ... We cannot allow legitimate debates to be hijacked,” he said.“Just because Australians are frustrated by traffic jams does not mean they are anti-migrant and racist ... We cannot allow legitimate debates to be hijacked,” he said.
Morrison says the debate can be hijacked by either side of politics, and condemned those who used debates on immigration to stoke fear and hatred towards migrants.Morrison says the debate can be hijacked by either side of politics, and condemned those who used debates on immigration to stoke fear and hatred towards migrants.
“If we have a culture of us and them ... we will lose what makes diversity work in Australia and what makes us the most successful multicultural society in the world,” says Morrison.“If we have a culture of us and them ... we will lose what makes diversity work in Australia and what makes us the most successful multicultural society in the world,” says Morrison.
“The retreat to tribalism is taking over and for some the retreat to extremism is taking over.”“The retreat to tribalism is taking over and for some the retreat to extremism is taking over.”
Morrison says “this is true of the left and the right” and is especially true for those “shouting from the fringes” at the the “mainstream of quiet Australians who just want to get on with their life”.Morrison says “this is true of the left and the right” and is especially true for those “shouting from the fringes” at the the “mainstream of quiet Australians who just want to get on with their life”.
“Contempt is defined by the philosophy of the unsullied conviction in the worthlessness of another. That is where mindless tribalism takes us.“Contempt is defined by the philosophy of the unsullied conviction in the worthlessness of another. That is where mindless tribalism takes us.
“Last week it entered the lives of 50 fellow human beings including children who simply entered a mosque to pray.”“Last week it entered the lives of 50 fellow human beings including children who simply entered a mosque to pray.”
Morrison has announced an additional $55m in community safety funds.Morrison has announced an additional $55m in community safety funds.
He says priority will be given to places of worship and religious schools, and the money will go towards spending on security, including CCTV cameras.He says priority will be given to places of worship and religious schools, and the money will go towards spending on security, including CCTV cameras.
“When I say I believe in religious freedom... I know it has to start with the right to worship in safety, without fear of violence.”“When I say I believe in religious freedom... I know it has to start with the right to worship in safety, without fear of violence.”