A city of heroes
A rare gold bravery award will be given to the people of Christchurch by the Royal Humane Society of New Zealand tomorrow for their response to the mosque terror attacks.
The people of Christchurch will be honoured with a bravery award for their response to the mosque attacks.
The Royal Humane Society of New Zealand will present the gold medal award to Christchurch Mayor Lianne Dalziel at a ceremony launching the Christchurch Invitation: Mahia Te Aroha on Friday night.
It will be one of seven awards presented by the GovernorGeneral and the society’s patron Dame Patsy Reddy – an ‘‘unprecedented number’’ to be awarded in response to one event.
Society president Austin Forbes, QC, said gold medal awards were only given in exceptional circumstances. Just two had been awarded in the last 50 years. The other one also went to Christchurch and its citizens following the February, 2011, Christchurch earthquake.
‘‘The Royal Humane Society believes this is a fitting tribute to the many people, known and unknown, who performed acts of bravery and humanity on that day in Christchurch.
‘‘Many people acted selflessly to help their fellow citizens on that day and that is what this special award is in recognition of.’’
Dalziel said it was her honour to receive the award on behalf of the city, acknowledging ‘‘the members of the wider Christchurch community, including passers-by and neighbours, who selflessly stepped in to save lives and to offer protection and support’’.
‘‘On March 15, 2019, our city was shocked to the core by the terrorist attack on members of our Muslim community at Al Nur Mosque and Linwood Islamic Centre at their time of prayer.
‘‘We will never know all of the people who performed acts of heroism and humanity on March 15, 2019, and the days following, but this award from the Royal Humane Society of New Zealand honours each and every one of them.’’
The Christchurch Invitation was developed by members of the Christchurch Muslim community as a way to harness the ‘‘aroha, compassion and mutual support’’ seen in the city following March 15, 2019, co-founder Anthony Green said.
The invitation aimed to foster a more compassionate, stronger society where all of its members could feel safe, he said.
‘‘It recognises that every one of us has a part to play in shaping a better future that promotes kindness and understanding towards others, regardless of race or belief, and it will demonstrate how we can all do that through simple everyday actions and behaviours.’’
The society, established in 1898, is an independent, charitable body that makes awards for acts of bravery or acts of humanity by people in saving or attempting to save the life of another person, particularly where there has been a personal risk to the rescuer.
The awards are in the form of gold, silver and bronze medals, plus various categories of certificates.
‘‘Many people acted selflessly to help their fellow citizens.’’
Austin Forbes, QC Royal Humane Society of New Zealand president