We are peaceful, largely tolerant and respectful of others. You don’t see the anti-rants in the media about those with a different colour or religion that you do in Europe, Britain, America or Australia.
Until Friday March 15 we didn’t see terror either.
That so many died and so many were injured purely because of their beliefs is tragic enough.
What’s equally tragic is that NZ will never be the same again.
The thing I remember about the afternoon, aside from the carnage, is the dignity of those who survived the atrocity.
There were no cries for revenge. Just sadness for those they had lost and that the event had happened and in Christchurch, NZ.
The police acted quickly and it is to their credit they caught the perpetrator so soon after the crimes occurred.
Ambulance staff, hospital staff and those from the Defence Force all stepped up.
Watching the response I certainly felt the agencies were in control.
Politically, I was impressed by the quick grasp of the situation by Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern who spoke strongly and without notes. She gave the impression of being in control and said the words I wanted to hear.
Likewise, Winston Peters and Simon Bridges were there in support. Politics were forgotten, we were one country.
In addition, the media gave us information quickly, honestly and without fuss.
We watched Mitch McCann fronting the early reports on TV3 and he did a hard job credibly and professionally.
I thought Thomas Mead was superb giving reports from the Deans Avenue mosque. He was obviously upset by the atrocity but his professionalism kicked in. He was a credit to himself and TV3.
Likewise, the young Christchurch crew of Holly Carram, Annabelle Tutia and Juliet Speedy were highly professional and informative.
Covering death and destruction is difficult. I’ve done it. For those young reporters to step up as they did was quite amazing. They have great futures.
Later in the day we had the Newshub big guns, the Gowers, McRoberts and Chan-Greens arrived. The coverage was excellent, albeit horrifying and gut-wrenching.
So, an atrocity occurred far bigger and bloodier than anything that has happened in NZ ever.
Our support services stepped up quickly and without fuss, our politicians showed genuine leadership and the media kept us informed accurately, timely and without fuss.
The people from Christchurch would have been rightfully appalled that again their life has been turned around. It was pleasing to see individuals and experts from outside Canterbury offering their assistance. Christchurch isn’t alone but they will inevitably bear the scars.
What happens from here is anyone’s guess.
We know the Officials Committee for Domestic and External Security Co-ordination reported to Cabinet last Monday.
We are told our firearms laws will change.
I would respectfully make the point that it is not the firearm at fault it is the person pulling the trigger and make the additional point that some of the weapons used aren’t legal in NZ. Changing laws won’t change that.
I was also a little surprised to read the Australian perpetrator had a NZ gun licence. In Wairarapa we have rigorous tests for people applying for or renewing a licence and I’d be interested to know how thoroughly the shooter was checked.
Also, a retired soldier complained to the Dunedin police about the culture at a gun club the shooter was a member of. He was ignored.
I can’t think of anything we could change that would have averted the massacre but I’d be happy to be proved wrong.
I am confused about why the person wasn’t on anyone’s watch list. By all accounts he didn’t have a job. He was in a hard right chat room. He had travelled to some hairy parts of the world where he would have seen many atrocities against Muslims.
Where did he get his money?
Our Muslim leaders had been complaining about harassment from those on the far right. Why were they ignored?
I was also appalled by the statement from Australian Senator Fraser Anning claiming our immigration laws were at fault and need reform.
Given the circumstances, any reform would be to ban Australians.
So, an awful chapter in NZ’s history has happened and we won’t be the same ever again.
I thought our emergency and support services acted incredibly professionally and our politicians with competent leadership, control and decorum.
Our media were timely, sympathetic, accurate and professional.
Finally, it was great to see the support our Muslim brothers and sisters received from ordinary, everyday Kiwis. Long may that continue.
