The Aotearoa New Zealand Association of Social Workers (ANZASW) wishes to express its support for all who were affected
by today's events in Christchurch / Otautahi.
We are shocked to learn of the multiple fatalities and injuries caused by this attack, which was clearly intended to do
maximum damage to worshippers in two Mosques in different parts of the city. While the full facts are still waiting to
emerge, this was undoubtedly an unprecedented act of targeted discriminatory violence, driven by hate.
Today's attacks are an affront to everything we value as an organisation- and as New Zealanders. Crimes such as these
have no place in our society and should prompt reflection on the importance of resisting the spread of the politics of
hate, in all its forms- camouflaged or overt- in Aotearoa New Zealand.
We express our deepest sympathy to the victims, the families / whanau affected and to the Muslim community at large.
We also wish to convey our appreciation for the work of the police and other emergency services, as well as first
responders and hospital staff and they work to assist the victims and their families.