Condolence Book at several Centres
Phil Goff
Auckland, March 18, 2019
Auckland stands with Christchurch and with the Muslim community across New Zealand.
We acknowledge our City’s strong Muslim community and stand united with the community in grief and solidarity.
Auckland Council is working closely with the Police and the Central Government to ensure public safety. Auckland Emergency Management has been activated, and our Emergency Coordination Centre is operating.
No place for racism
“Over the weekend I met with Muslim community leaders and the Police and offered them Auckland Council’s support and assistance.
This morning I did the same at the Zayed College for Girls in Mangere.
Auckland has come together to support our Muslim community.
The Council has also made available condolence books in various locations around Auckland to give Aucklanders the opportunity to express their messages of support for the victims, their families and their community.
I am more determined than ever to give nothing to racism, and to ensure the world knows that Auckland and New Zealand is wonderfully diverse, where people of all ethnicities and faiths are welcome.
Phil Goff is Mayor of Auckland
Auckland Council Efforts
The Auckland Council is working to support its staff following Friday’s tragic shootings in Christchurch.
The Council’s Muslim Staff Network has met with senior Council staff and elected representatives to advise on how staff can best support Muslim colleagues, friends and family members, and the wider community.
Staff from across the Council and Council-Controlled Organisations will hold One-Minute silence ceremonies, waiata meetings and prayer meetings throughout the week.
Condolence Books
Condolence Books have been set up at the six Community Centres and the Auckland Town Hall. They will be open for the rest of this week from 9 am to 4 pm daily. This list will be updated if more Condolence Books are opened at further locations.
Condolence Book Locations
Auckland Town Hall
Te Atatu Peninsula Community Centre, 595 Te Atatu Road, Te Atatu Peninsula
New Lynn Community Centre. 45 Totora Avenue, New Lynn
Ellen Melville Centre, 2 Freyberg Place, Auckland
Wesley Community Centre, 740 Sandringham Road Extension, Sandringham
Onehunga Community Centre, 83 Church Street, Onehunga
Te Puke o Tara Community Centre, 20 Newbury Street, Otara
Blockhouse Bay Library, 578 Blockhouse Bay Road.
There is also a Book of Remembrance at the ground floor reception area of Auckland Council’s Building at 135 Albert Street. Beyond this, many libraries have informal displays where people can write messages
Flags at half-mast
All flags on Auckland Council Buildings continue to fly at half-mast and many events were cancelled this weekend out of respect for the victims of the tragedy.
Communications response
Auckland Emergency Management staff are working to support the New Zealand Police and the National Crisis Management Centre to coordinate communications with the public, including sharing information between police and other welfare agencies about event cancellations and welfare information.
Other Events
St-Matthew-in-the-City is hosting a vigil on Monday March 18 from 5 pm to 8 pm. More information will be advertised in the coming days.
We will provide updates about the status of upcoming events, including news of any cancellations, as soon as this information is confirmed.
Donations
The Auckland Council and the Muslim Staff Network are advising staff who want to make donations to support victims of the tragedy to contribute to fundraising pages at LaunchGood and Givealittle.
Christchurch Mayor Lianne Dalziel has also launched a fund “Our People, Our City” to raise money to support the families and Muslim communities affected by the tragedy.
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Auckland Mayor Phil Goff writing on a Condolence Book (Picture Supplied)
