Your message is clear: NZ is love

Kiwis try to cope with Friday’s horror through messages of aroha, support, grief and conviction.

Weasked Stuff readers to share messages of support for those affected by the terror attack in Christchurch on March 15.

Your response was resounding, heartfelt and determined: hate has no place in our country.

Here are some of the many beautiful tributes we have received so far. If you’d like to share your condolences email stuffnation@stuff.co.nz.

We are a nation of love

William Bennett

To those who are at the moment feeling threatened and fearful, who feel it is unsafe for them to walk our streets, know that this is not who we are. We are not a people that will turn our backs to you, we are not a nation that will endanger you, and we are not a nation that will hunt you.

We are a nation of diversity, of cooperation, of family. We are a nation of love. We will strive to keep you safe from harm, just as we would ourselves, to progress towards the betterment and happiness of all of us as a whole. And to create a future for our children where they will do the same.

We are not hate. We are love. And we stand as one.

We grieve with you

Mary Boddy

We believed, as you did, that New Zealand was a safe country for you to bring up your families, find employment, make new lives for yourselves. We had no idea you would be the target of such ugly hatred.

We welcomed you to our part of the world with open arms. You are Kiwi Muslims and citizens of our beautiful city, Christchurch. You have enhanced and contributed to Christchurch.

We are grieving the incomprehensible slaughter of members of our Kiwi Muslim community. Indeed this will be known as New Zealand’s darkest day.

These were not the actions of a New Zealand citizen, they were the actions of an evil, perverted and ugly terrorist who hated everything we all stand for. We are so very sorry that this evil took place in the very country you sought refuge in.

We will never get over this tragedy. We are marked forever. This was your home and you had every right to feel safe. We must all make sure that love will always dominate hatred, bigotry and ignorance.

We are brothers and sisters, with respect and love for each other. Kia kaha, arohanui.

I cannot stop crying

Davide Santoro

I cannot stop crying in front of my two little daughters. I am from Europe. My wife is Asian. Our kids are New Zealanders. We are proud of it.

I can only give flowers and my deepest condolences to the brothers and sisters who have lost their loved ones. I feel like I gained innocence here in Aotearoa, and I have just lost it again, together with everyone in this beautiful country.

Hopefully the right reaction to this awful atrocity is to make this society even better. I am certain that all of us in New Zealand can do it together. Hugs. We must all come together

Craig Williams

I would like to send my sincere condolences to all families caught up in this appalling act of terrorism. My prayers and thoughts are with you at this sad time.

I grew up in Linwood and as I drove past the cordon looking at all the flowers and well wishes, I thought I would wake up from this nightmare and it would be over.

But as I sit in bed thinking of what has happened, my heart broken to the core, I have to realise this actually happened in my city, my country. Why?

I ask all people of New Zealand to come together in solidarity. We must never ever let this happen again in this country!

I stand beside you

Fuatino Lokeni

To our Muslim communities in Aotearoa, New Zealand, you are one of us, you are Kiwi. Your unique culture, ethnicity and beliefs have been a part of our nation’s rich fabric of diversity for many, many years.

I stand beside you and together our heads will not bow down but stare back at those who try to divide this small yet resilient nation, with love, compassion and kindness.

Our country’s political rhetoric has been reflected by the leaders’ decision to also unite and show why we all chose to live here.

Religious and racial hatred stemmed from prejudicial fear has no place here. We will stand by our Muslim whanau to send a global message to everyone watching us: this country symbolises in its truest yet simple Kiwi way what One Nation truly means, together in diversity, as one, with love.

Kia kaha xoxo

Love is love

Amanda Turnbull

I’m so heartbroken for New Zealand, for all Muslims everywhere, for the victims and their families.

When will humans learn that violence is never the answer? Two world wars and many other wars and humans still don’t seem to learn from their mistakes.

It doesn’t matter what you believe in. Love is love.

This is not NZ

Dean Lennox

As an expat Kiwi living in Australia I am overwhelmed with sadness by what has happened in Christchurch.

My heart goes out to the Muslim community. What has happened is not New Zealand. My heart breaks for my little old New Zealand.

Kia kaha, Aotearoa.

You are all my family

Julie Paulin

While working in Christchurch I noticed a woman in the office wearing a hajib. I am a Jew. The political backdrop of the day was Israel’s action on Gaza.

I had been wanting to connect, but nervous. One day I made the long walk across the office kitchen and asked if I could hug her – could she and I, for a moment, bridge the ugly divide.

She agreed and a beautiful friendship sparked.

I have since moved back to California. I reached out on Friday. She was home with a new baby and another daughter. Her husband had flung himself out a window at the mosque and was bleeding but breathing. He was still locked down, separated from his family – what felt in that moment, was my family too.

So many times she invited my family to break bread with her community, to gather to share foods from home, and her culture. So many times I had a reason I could not go. Every time I did not go. My loss evermore.

Sending love, support, strength and solidarity to the Muslim community in New Zealand and elsewhere.

I feel shame

Anna McNab

I too have grief that is unbearable. My heart is broken, my eyes are red from crying and my head is asking if this a dream.

It is no dream; our Muslim community was attacked by a hate that was calculated and planned. The target was Muslim men, women, and children while they went to prayer.

The attacker came and let loose guns, not caring who or what he hit.

I feel shame that you have been hurt in our beautiful country, a country that you considered a safe haven. You are in my prayers. My heart feels sorry for you all.

My beautiful country, my safe haven has been hurt and I want to draw it in my arms and say I’m sorry for the hurt we have let happen, for the safety that is gone, for the love that has been shocked, for the hope that is blurred.

Kia kaha, my beautiful country

I am in absolute shock Duanette Gray

Dear brothers and sisters of Aotearoa, I wish to convey my sympathy, support, love and prayers from Egypt at this sad time. Even on the other side of the world, as a New Zealander and as a human being, I am still in absolute shock and despair in the face of the atrocities that have happened to you, your families and friends on my home soil.

I am due to give birth to my first child, who will be brought up in the Muslim faith, although I am Catholic.

I always believed New Zealand would be the safest place in the world for her to grow up.

I don’t know what to think anymore. I hope that the rest of New Zealand is there to comfort and support you in all the ways you will need right now. Kia kaha – stay strong.

Much love and God bless.

Peace, love and strength Dynelle Smallwood

My heartfelt sympathies go out to the families of those who have lost loved ones and to those who were injured and saw sights we never thought would happen in our country.

Peace, love and strength to you all.

Tahi whanau

Dolly Horton

We are one whanau. Peace and aroha to all. Kia kaha! I am you

Christie Coles

I am so very sorry and so very sad that this evil has been perpetrated in your house, our home.

Our country is not perfect, but its citizens ought to be safe from these despicable crimes.

My heart breaks.

I love you, New Zealand

Kirsten Wise

I’m so sorry this has happened. New Zealand is the most beautiful country on earth, where kind, compassionate and tolerant people live.

I’m heartbroken for the families, friends, strangers and community affected by this senseless murder of innocent Kiwis. God bless the victims. God bless and be with New Zealand.

Let’s show our resolve

Christa Erickson

This is a great country. What happened in Christchurch is unforgivable and incomprehensible to most.

We need to show our resolve, our inner strength and the Kiwi way. Stay alert, stay vigilant and remember they are us.

Stay strong and unite

Katherine Dobson

We are all united in grief and anger but we can’t let these events control our lives.

Let’s all try to practise tolerance to each other regardless of race, religion or political belief all year round.

My thoughts and tears go to the families of those who have been killed and injured, and to the the people of Christchurch.

A big thanks to all the emergency personnel and public who helped. Stay strong, New Zealand.

My heart goes out to the people of Christchurch

Melanie McLeod

I never thought a terrorist attack could happen in our country, Aotearoa.

I was in shock seeing the devastation one person could do to a nation.

To the people of the Muslim faith and Christchurch, kia kaha.

Support our Muslim friends Julienne James

I am feeling so sad that our country has experienced this horrendous tragedy. I wish to say I am totally supportive of our Muslim friends throughout the country and am gutted that this horrible incident has made them feel that they are not safe in New Zealand.

They are welcome here and the outpouring of emotion and support will hopefully ensure they feel the love from us all.

Your pain is our pain

David Mangnall

No words can convey my shock and sadness at the appalling events which took place in Christchurch. New Zealand has lost its innocence and has changed forever.

My thoughts are with all those who have lost family and friends. All New Zealand is standing with you. Your loss is our loss, your pain is our pain. Kia kaha.

Sending love and support

Vicki Thatcher

Sending my love to all who are grieving for their loved ones who have passed.

To those with family and friends who have been injured, together with your faith, and that of the rest of Aotearoa, give strength to your loved ones to recover from their injuries. We will live together as one in peace.

We are with you

Frances Maher

When the presence of police fades to the background on our streets, when news around the world shifts to a new heartbreaking scene, we will not forget you. We are here with you.

When those with ignorant minds attempt to place blame where it’s not due, when they say it’s YOU under attack, we’ll retort you’re OUR family too. We will not forget you, we will stand with you.

When the pouring out of love appears now silent and deplete, when the online world is overwhelmed again with silly memes, we will not forget you. We are here with you.

When our nation’s fragile heart begins to ache a little less, when the wells of tears have spilled and dried and the lost now laid to rest, we will not forget you. We will stand with you.

To the victims taken senselessly and the loved ones left to grieve, we will never forget you. We stand strong with you.

Love one another

Ngahere Phillips

To all the people of the Muslim faith and those that have been affected by this great tragedy, our prayers and love go out to you all.

Who we are

Name Withheld

Even though I don’t know you. Even though I don’t understand you. Even though I don’t agree with you. Even though I have little in common with you and our paths may never cross.

You are us. I care about you and I’m proud of you. You matter to me.

I commit to ensuring, whether separately or together, that all of us can live in peace and love, whatever that means to each of us.

You can call on me, at any time. For assistance. For shelter. For support. Just as I can call on you.

You are us. They are us. Kia kaha.