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New Zealand shooting: first burials today as Ardern visits Christchurch victims – live New Zealand shooting: first burials today as Ardern visits Christchurch victims – live
(32 minutes later)
Ardern was asked several times about her personal response to the tragic events. She deflected a lot of the questions, seeming not to want to go into much detail on the subject.
Journalist: Prime Minister, yesterday in your speech you talked about you never thought you would be a voice for a nation’s grief. I’m wondering, we’ve seen you obviously at these news conferences, you present a very strong front. As a human being, as a mother, can you tell us maybe one moment of this since Friday that has just been very, very difficult for you, or you had difficulty dealing with it?
Ardern: I can’t tell you just one because, actually, there have been too many.
Journalist: Can you describe some of these moments that have just touched your heart for us?
Ardern: Everyone in New Zealand and internationally is reading the same stories I read. And my response is no different. Yes, I have a role I need to play. I feel the grief, I hear the grief. But I also have a duty of care to the people involved in this to also keep going. And so if the imam who stood at the front of a mosque and saw firsthand the loss of his worshippers in front of him can keep going, then I definitely can.
Later on in the press conference she was pressed again.
Journalist: Prime Minister, you mentioned that that at the high school this morning you were very sad. How are you fortifying yourself?
Ardern: As I said, if the imam who stood at the front and watched his friends and fellow worshippers continue on, then I absolutely can. I fortify myself by knowing I have a duty of care and a job to do.
Journalist: Is this the toughest thing you have ever had to face?
Ardern: Yes.
Journalist: On the issue of gun control, do you have anymore details on where that stands? Also, do you see whatever New Zealand has done as a blueprint to follow suit?
Ardern: “One thing I have to acknowledge is relative to other countries, not picking any one in particular, we have a large number of loopholes in our laws. Many New Zealanders would be astounded to know you can access military-style semiautomatics that you can here.
“My hope is that going forward, we will - we will - demonstrate what you can do if your starting point is similar to ours. We do have a road to travel though and I’ll be announcing further details very, very soon.”
Journalist: Can you give us a sense of what’s happening behind the scenes? What has to happen before Monday and then before the end of next week to get the changes you want pushed through?
Ardern: “Just to give you a flavour, even in terms of the preparation that needed to occur before we met as a cabinet, these attacks, this terrorist attack, occurred on Friday. By Monday, as a result of, literally, policy workers working through the night, we had proposals for cabinet.
“Decisions were made and now those same individuals are working incredibly hard to work through the detail of what is required to make that a reality.
“I reflect, again, Australia, when they experienced a tragedy, a mass shooting in the 1990s, it took them 12 days. We will do it in less but only through extraordinary effort.
Journalist: Prime Minister, the NRA is reported to be involved in coming into New Zealand to lobby and be of influence in the process of the conversation around gun control. Can you confirm it for one thing and do you have any concern?
Ardern: “No, I haven’t heard that, actually. But, do you know, I think - I’ve said from the very outset, that it is my belief that those who are currently the holders of both gun licences and guns, I believe they will be with us.
“I’ve already seen some commentary from individuals who are gun holders and gun - hold gun licences that very much indicate that they absolutely acknowledge something needs to change.
“Now, again, you know, there is legitimate gun use in New Zealand and we absolutely acknowledge that, but I would say almost all New Zealanders, except perhaps those who use them, will acknowledge that there isn’t and should not be a place for military-style semiautomatics.
Ardern was asked several questions about Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s comments, in which the Turkish president said people coming to Turkey with anti-Muslim views would be sent back in coffins like their grandfathers – a reference to the battle of Gallipoli in the first world war.
Ardern’s deputy prime minister Winston Peters is travelling to Turkey to discuss the subject with Turkey’s leaders.
Journalist: Is it appropriate for our Foreign Minister to be travelling at the time given the comments made by President Erdogan?
Ardern: As I’ve said, he is going there to set the record straight. That is an opportunity that he should take up. Now, we have to make sure that what is reflected is an accurate portrayal of New Zealand and New Zealanders. Indeed, of our Muslim community as well. And that is his intent.
Asked if she shared Australian prime minister Scott Morrison’s views that the comments were “deeply upsetting”, Ardern said: “As I said, our Deputy Prime Minister will be confronting those comments in Turkey. We had a delegation from the Turkish Government to bring a message of solidarity to New Zealand and to those affected by the attack.”
Later in the press conference a journalist returned to the subject, saying: “You must be offended that this is being used as a political tool in Turkey?”
She says:
I do not accept - I do not accept - that we will see the long-term change in our relationship. It is so deeply entrenched. They cared for our fallen. Hundreds and thousands of New Zealanders have made pilgrimages to that place as an acknowledgement of what ties and binds our countries. And so I reject the idea that we are losing that relationship, or will lose that relationship. But for now, you’ll appreciate that given that my Deputy Prime Minister is travelling there, that, actually, where this conversation will happen will be face-to-face.
And the press conference is over. We’ll have some key quotes from it shortly.
A journalist asks if this is the toughest thing Ardern has ever had to face.
She replies: “Yes.”
Jacinda Ardern says they need to ensure they create an environment where racist ideology cannot flourish and that is something she will put her mind to in coming months.
Ardern says that there will be gun control measures introduced in light of the attack, saying “there is no place for military-style semi-automatic weapons in New Zealand”.
She also says that she thinks gun owners in New Zealand will support the measures.
A journalist is pushing Ardern on the Turkish president’s comments, saying she “must be offended” by Erdogan’s comments.
Ardern says she “does not accept” that the nature of the relationship between New Zealand and Turkey has changed, given that Turkey holds our fallen and thousands of New Zealanders have made pilgrimages to the country.
She will not be drawn on Erdogan’s comments, saying that her deputy prime minister Winston Peters is on his way to Turkey and “this conversation is one that will happen face to face”.
Jacinda Ardern says that New Zealand has failings in its laws that need to be addressed in the wake of the attack.
Ardern says New Zealand has been a “blueprint of what not to do” in regards to lax gun control and these loopholes will be addressed, she says.
Ardern also says that reviews will need to occur of security services, and that the security services themselves have asked for these reviews.
Ardern says that alt-right groups were on the radar in New Zealand but the killer was missed.
“There is grief in New Zealand but there is also anger,” she says.
A journalist has asked Jacinda Ardern how she is coping personally and to share one moment that has affected her personally “as a human, as a mother”.
Ardern declines to pick one moment, saying there are many. She says she has a duty to keep going and to lead her people. Ardern says that she has taken strength from watching local imams who continued leading their communities at a time of profound grief.
A journalist asks: “Prime Minister, a few hours ago a father and son from Syria, refugees to this country, were buried, the first people to be buried in Christchurch. How does it make your feel that people who came here, to seek refuge, they’ve ended up dying this this most horrific way?”A journalist asks: “Prime Minister, a few hours ago a father and son from Syria, refugees to this country, were buried, the first people to be buried in Christchurch. How does it make your feel that people who came here, to seek refuge, they’ve ended up dying this this most horrific way?”
Ardern replies:Ardern replies:
It was actually one of the things that I was told quite early on. When I was being briefed on some of the, you know, the atrocious stories, one of the things that was shared with me was that a family affected were Syrian refugees. I cannot tell you how gutting it is to know that a family came here for safety and for refuge, and they should have been safe here.It was actually one of the things that I was told quite early on. When I was being briefed on some of the, you know, the atrocious stories, one of the things that was shared with me was that a family affected were Syrian refugees. I cannot tell you how gutting it is to know that a family came here for safety and for refuge, and they should have been safe here.
You will see that, you know, amongst New Zealanders on social media, one of the - one of the images and accompanying words that has spread the most has been that this was their home and they should have been safe here.You will see that, you know, amongst New Zealanders on social media, one of the - one of the images and accompanying words that has spread the most has been that this was their home and they should have been safe here.
Ardern says the fact that the alleged killer came from Australia does not taint the trans-Tasman relationship or reflect more widely on Australia or the country, and says she knows people in Australia are wrestling with questions about what it means for their country that the alleged killer came from Australia.Ardern says the fact that the alleged killer came from Australia does not taint the trans-Tasman relationship or reflect more widely on Australia or the country, and says she knows people in Australia are wrestling with questions about what it means for their country that the alleged killer came from Australia.
Ardern is asked what she thinks about the frustration felt by the families of victims at the speed that the bodies are being returned to their families for burial.Ardern is asked what she thinks about the frustration felt by the families of victims at the speed that the bodies are being returned to their families for burial.
“It’s a frustration that I share,” says Ardern. “I have had an update that we have had 13 bodies now ready for release to family members.”“It’s a frustration that I share,” says Ardern. “I have had an update that we have had 13 bodies now ready for release to family members.”
But she adds: “I have seen the people working on this process and they are working incredibly hard.”But she adds: “I have seen the people working on this process and they are working incredibly hard.”
Ardern says there are “lessons to learn” and that in the aftermath they will be reviewing how to return bodies more quickly.Ardern says there are “lessons to learn” and that in the aftermath they will be reviewing how to return bodies more quickly.
Ardern says ever since she heard that the attack involved people of Muslim faith, she says “My concern about the 24-hour burial period has been top of my mind.”Ardern says ever since she heard that the attack involved people of Muslim faith, she says “My concern about the 24-hour burial period has been top of my mind.”
Ardern has been asked if Donald Trump should have said more and reflected New Zealand’s position. She deflects the question and said her focus was on the local community and she cannot control the rhetoric of other leaders.Ardern has been asked if Donald Trump should have said more and reflected New Zealand’s position. She deflects the question and said her focus was on the local community and she cannot control the rhetoric of other leaders.
Ardern deflects a question about how concerned New Zealanders should be about threats from Islamic State and calls for retaliatory attacks against New Zealand.Ardern deflects a question about how concerned New Zealanders should be about threats from Islamic State and calls for retaliatory attacks against New Zealand.
Ardern says she has not heard language of retaliation from the local Musliam community, saying their response has been “completely counter” to some of the rhetoric used by Islamic State, the Taliban and others.Ardern says she has not heard language of retaliation from the local Musliam community, saying their response has been “completely counter” to some of the rhetoric used by Islamic State, the Taliban and others.
Ardern says there is a desire to mark the attack and honour the victims and to support Muslim brothers and sisters in New Zealand. In light of that there will be two minutes of silence held on Friday and the call to prayer will be broadcast on TVNZ and Radio NZ.Ardern says there is a desire to mark the attack and honour the victims and to support Muslim brothers and sisters in New Zealand. In light of that there will be two minutes of silence held on Friday and the call to prayer will be broadcast on TVNZ and Radio NZ.
Jacinda Ardern discussed today with council and community leaders the future memorial service for the victims of the attack. She says planning continues for the memorial, which will be held in Christchurch, but no date has been set for the event.
Ardern is speaking to the media after her morning of meetings with people in Christchurch.
Staff at the Christchurch hospital have explained what happened on the afternoon of the mosque attacks.
Senior staff were in a meeting and called out when the emergency department activated its major incident protocols - which means five or more patients are coming in from one incident.
Nursing clinical manager Tracey Williams said they had 48 admissions within an hour. Within two and a half, she says “most patients were where they needed to be.”
The police cordon made it slightly difficult for some on the afternoon shift to get through, but Williams said the hospital was able to cope because the shooting was on a weekday and at a crossover between morning and afternoon shift - a lot of staff around.
Others who weren’t rostered on just turned up, as they did after the 2011 Earthquake. “People who weren’t at work just appeared.”
Williams: “The lockdown was unusual, the police locked us down and the department and we were very keen to let our staff go home... but it’s been very reassuring to have the police presence ongoing.”
Williams said there were more patients in the earthquake - 400 over 24 hours - but more all at once on Friday - 48 in under an hour.
By mid afternoon they had 13 patients in ICU. They also almost ran out of supplies - a woman named Renee from Allied Health drove through the police cordon to restock antibiotics and other supplies. Social workers also came in to support relatives so nursing staff were free.
The head of ICU nursing said: “Some of the patients have required two nurses to one patient because of the complexity of the care…. The staff have stepped up, they have done immensely well, I could not be more proud.”
There are currently 20 shooting victims in the surgical ward, “many of whom are requiring multiple returns to theatre,” said the director of surgical nursing.
Samir Harith, a Muslim New Zealander who works at the University of Waikato has written a guide for non-Muslim Kiwis to support their Muslim friends and neighbours.
He writes:
So many of my non-Muslim friends have asked me what they can do to help the Muslim community here in NZ in light of Friday’s Tragedy. Lots of good meaning souls out there and its the biggest reason why I love NZ so much. So for those of you who want to do something, here are some pointers:
BE CAUTIOUS ABOUT:
1. Physical contact - Yes, it’s normal for us Kiwis to hug and embrace with each other on any occasion, but for most Muslims, physical contact with members of the opposite gender is taboo. Hugs, handshakes and embraces with members of the same gender is fine, but if you wish to express your condolences to a Muslim individual of an opposite gender, a simple hand over heart gesture is fine.
2. Donating food to mosques - A great idea! However, unless you are familiar with what constitutes ‘Halal’ (permissible) food, I would advise not to donate food to mosques. While they will definitely appreciate your contribution, if they suspect that the food is non-halal it will likely go to waste. If you wish to learn more about what Halal food is, please talk to your local mosque leaders.
3. Attending funerals/grieving with Muslims - Muslims are famous for being completely efficient with burying and grieving our dead. Generally speaking, fallen Muslims are usually buried and grieved within the day (hence the frustration when our loved ones aren’t able to be buried on time). So no, you probably won’t have a chance to grieve with us simply because our grieving is a very private, efficient affair.
Now that you know that, what you CAN do is really easy:
1. Spread the word and share your solidarity with not just Muslims but all Kiwis, because all of us, as a country are affected by this tragedy. Spread the love and Aroha people!
2. Call out hate speech wherever you hear/see it. I can’t stress this enough. No matter how small, no matter how innocuous it sounds, call it out and tell people to cut out that shit.
3. Attend vigils organised by your local mosque and/or other religious organisations. This tragedy has brought out the best in us as it stretches across a different multitude of faiths. If you want to show your support - there is a great place to do it.
He also encourages people not to share images/videos of the man who committed teh attacks or perpetrate racial hate and division. He also cautioned fellow Muslims reading this post, not to make any statements disparaging Westerners because of the violent acts of one person, writing “you don’t like them doing that to us, don’t do it to them.”
Christchurch pupils perform haka for Jacinda Ardern – video
Funerals for the first of the 50 victims whose bodies have been returned to their families have begun at Christchurch’s Memorial Park Cemetery.
Among the first to be buried were father and son Khaled and Hamza Mustafa, who were killed at Al Noor mosque. Both came to New Zealand as Syrian refugees.
Hamza, 16, was a year 10 student at Cashmere High School. Principal Mark Wilson earlier described him as excellent horse rider who wanted to be a veterinarian.
As of midday on Wednesday 27 bodies had been formally identified and 12 had been released for burial. Some will then make the long journey home to be buried with family overseas.
Ardern and the first responders have now left for a private gathering where they will share some “lamingtons, fruit, biscuits and juice” and talk in private, which feels very, appropriately Kiwi.
The prime minister’s press conference has been pushed back to 3pm (about 40 minutes from now).
Ardern has said she hoped to meet first responders in a small room and share some lamingtons. The prime minister looks extremely moved, and said she watched their work in real-time. "I have no doubt that you saved lives - thank you for doing what you do on our darkest days"
Jacinda Ardern has arrived at the emergency precinct in Christchurch and is shaking the hands of St John’s first responder staff.
Australian prime minister Scott Morrison has just held a press conference to deal with one particularly unedifying bit of fallout from the Christchurch terror attacks – comments by the Turkish president, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, that anyone who comes to Turkey with anti-Muslim sentiments would be sent back in coffins, “like their grandfathers were” during the Gallipoli campaign.
Morrison warned that “all options are on the table” due to the offensive remarks and Australia will review its travel advisory for Turkey, a threat that could see Australians directed not to travel to Turkey for Anzac Day commemorations at Gallipoli, attended by thousands every year on 25 April.
Morrison said he did not accept the Turkish ambassador’s “excuses” that the comments were “in the heat of the moment … in an electoral context”.
In election rallies, Erdoğan has repeatedly shown excerpts of a video taken by the attacker who killed 50 people in mosques in New Zealand, to denounce what he called rising hatred and prejudice against Islam.
Morrison said:
I believe the comments also completely misrepresent the very strong position taken by the Australian and New Zealand governments in our response to the extremist attack in New Zealand that was committed by an Australian, but in no way, shape, or form, could possibly be taken to represent the actions, or any policy or view of the Australian people.
All Australians have condemned it, as, indeed, I have, swiftly, and the New Zealand Prime Minister has.
But not only that, it has not just been our condemnation of that attack, but it has been our response, both as countries, who have an open, tolerant society, accepting of all faiths and peoples, that we have reached out to embrace our Muslim brothers and sisters in New Zealand and in Australia, quite to the contrary of the vile assertion that has been made about our response.
The response of our free people in New Zealand and Australia, I think, is the message that needs to be communicated to the Turkish people, and I believe is a view respected by the people of Turkey and certainly by Turkish Australians.”
Morrison walked a fine line, claiming that he wants to de-escalate the situation and calling for the comments to be withdrawn, while also threatening possible consequences if they are not. Whether this has the desired effect or plays into Erdoğan’s hands remains to be seen.