PM allays fears over travel to Turkey

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has eased fears about any retaliation over the Christchurch mosque attacks and travel to Turkey for Anzac Day.

It comes after Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s comments that New Zealanders who travelled to Turkey with bad intentions would be returned in coffins like their forefathers at Gallipoli. He had also previously used footage of the Christchurch shooting that killed 50 people at a campaign rally.

Yesterday, while Ardern was in Christchurch, she was asked about Erdogan’s coffin comments and if it was safe for New Zealanders to travel to Turkey. She confirmed Foreign Affairs Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters was going to Turkey. ‘‘He is setting the record straight, face to face.’’

Peters was invited by the Turkish Government to attend a special ministerial meeting of 52 Islamic countries at the Organisation of Islamic Co-operation, being held in Istanbul.

It was an opportunity for Peters to be very clear about New Zealand’s record, Ardern said.

‘‘We have to make sure what is portrayed is an accurate reflection of New Zealand ... of our Muslim community and that is his intent.’’

Peters would demonstrate in a very ‘‘forthright way’’ the fact the Muslim community was supported in New Zealand, and the response to what happened.

A Turkish delegation had brought a message of solidarity to New Zealand after the attacks.

For decades Kiwis had made the pilgrimage to Gallipoli to acknowledge they wanted to be a world free of war, hatred and violence, she said.

Ardern was asked if she was offended by Turkey using Christchurch as a political platform and if it would strain relations.

‘‘I do not accept we will see the long-term change in our relationship – it is so deeply entrenched. They cared for our fallen. Hundreds of thousands of New Zealanders have made pilgrimages to that place as an acknowledgment of what ties and binds our countries.

‘‘So I reject the idea we are losing that relationship ... my deputy prime minister is travelling there, where this conversation will happen face to face.’’

‘‘We have to make sure what is portrayed is an accurate reflection of New Zealand . . .’’ Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern