Tabuteau FletcherFLETCHER TABUTEAU (Deputy Leader—NZ First): Assalamo alaikum tēnā koutou and kia ora Mr Speaker. On Friday 15 March this country witnessed the worst terrorist attack and so New Zealand is still in a state of shock and it grieves. What has been so heartening to see and experience is the outpouring of love and inclusiveness on an unprecedented scale in response to this day that has changed us. As the Prime Minister rightly said Friday 15 March was one of the darkest days in New Zealand history. In reply I quote from the imam who spoke in this very House yesterday: Oh Lord make this day a source of light for this country and the entire world—the light which unites us all as one family."This terrorist act was an obscene one perpetrated against innocent Kiwi worshippers peacefully observing their beliefs. This sickening act of terrorism imported into Christchurch was the work of a coward whom we reject. Those worshippers who lost their lives were Kiwis. They are us and because they are us as a nation we mourn them. To the families of those who were taken so violently from this world your loved ones are martyrs now. But to you the families we will walk with you. As the Prime Minister has said our focus is on supporting you and ensuring your needs are met. To those still with us recovering in hospital and the eight still struggling still battling for their lives we say kia kaha. All of you are in our thoughts and our prayers. We will walk with you in your recovery and beyond.We reject this terrorist's objectives—this someone a coward from beyond our shores who sought to terrorise us and tear us apart. He has clearly failed in this objective. He failed because as the Deputy Prime Minister said violent extremism whatever its origin form or creed is utterly rejected by New Zealanders. In fact New Zealand has come closer together in response to this day that has changed us. New Zealanders are already defining that change now and it is for us one of strength resilience and community. There has been no fear and panic in the streets. We have always been a tolerant country and now more than that we have come closer together and are stronger for it. The people of Christchurch will stay in our thoughts as they reclaim their city and show the world just how amazingly strong and resilient they are. To the bystanders on the day who made us all proud even if it was only to hold a hand; to the courageous police men and women all; to the emergency service responders; to the teachers who I know sat with their children trying to fill their students' unusually long day with fun activities to keep them engaged when the teachers themselves knew only too well what was happening in their city—we acknowledge and we thank you all.I choose to close with the words of Emily and Mohabat Khan Malak who when I spoke to them this morning have summed up the thinking of our Rotorua Muslim community. They said "We are thankful to the Prime Minister and how she has handled this whole situation her clear respect for the Muslim community. To the police and emergency services in Christchurch thank you all. To everyone in New Zealand who has come forward in love thank you. Let us celebrate this newfound unity and ensure that we keep it strong as we move forward." I think they best encapsulated it when they said "It all comes down to making sure that we can give one another a hug." Arohanui and love. Kia ora Mr Speaker."