One big whanau

Memorial services are being held around Taranaki tomorrow and Friday for the people affected by the terrorist attack in Christchurch.

Tomorrow the South Taranaki District Council has a service at the Ha¯wera town square at 5.15pm.

The combined churches of Opunake are holding a service at the Opunake Library Plus from 7pm tomorrow.

Stratford residents have been invited to meet in Prospero Pl at

1.25pm on Friday, to join with a national initiative called #colouryourdaynz where schools and groups are encouraging people to dress up in bright colours and mark a minute’s silence for those who died.

The flag outside the council office in Stratford is flying at half mast and people have placed flowers and cards beside it. The council also has condolence books at its office and the library for people to sign.

There is a March for Love, Unity and Peace at New Plymouth’s Puke Ariki Landing at

5.30pm on Friday. A region-wide event is also being held in New Plymouth on Friday. People are invited to come together at 7pm for a candlelight vigil with the Muslim Association of Taranaki, Migrant Connections Taranaki, New Plymouth District Council (NPDC), Taranaki Ma¯ori community and others at the Bowl of Brooklands.

‘‘This event will bring us together to show Taranaki’s support to Christchurch and that we stand with them and share their grief. Let us show that the people of Taranaki will not stand for any acts of violence and terrorism in our country,’’ a post on the NPDC Facebook page said.

People are asked to bring a candle to light in remembrance of those who died.

The Muslim Association of Taranaki is centralising fundraising in its humanitarian aid account to transfer to Christchurch as ‘‘One Big Taranaki Wha¯nau’’. All funds will be sent to organisations working on the ground to assist in the relief efforts for the Muslim community in Christchurch. Account details are: TSB Bank,

15-3953-0357272-03 (Reference: Christchurch).