Haka brings unity, love
Schools across Wellington joined their counterparts in Porirua to perform a mass haka in recognition of those lost in the Christchurch shootings.
One minute’s silence was observed among Mana College and Nga¯ti Toa School students yesterday in honour of the Muslim community.
The haka was led by Mana College year 13 student Jaymason Matthews-Pulman, who said his love was with the Christchurch community.
He said Ka Mate was about living – going against all odds to live on.
‘‘New Zealand is supposed to be a place where you can feel at home, and a safe country. Stuff going on like that, it’s not on.
‘‘We just gotta pay our respects to them. Look after one another,’’ Matthews-Pulman said.
He felt yesterday’s haka was one of the strongest MatthewsPulman had been a part of – a physical gesture of unity and a way to spread kindness, ‘‘so we can make sure it doesn’t happen again’’.
‘‘My love goes out to you guys [in Christchurch] and I’m sorry for what happened. To all the Muslims and their families, I hope you guys are well.’’