New Zealand's Darkest Day - Our Hearts Are Heavy, But Our Spirit Is Strong

After bullets rained down on worshippers in two Christchurch mosques, we are forever changed

March 15, 2019 will be forever etched into our memories. It is the date the unthinkable happened, when a peaceful afternoon of prayer at two Christchurch mosques turned into the darkest of days for New Zealand. And the sorrow has pierced our collective hearts forever.

Two places of worship were the scene of an horrific national tragedy of a scale we’ve never known and never thought possible in this precious country we call home. They’ve called it our “loss of innocence”. Our safe haven of Aotearoa has been rocked to its core and we will mourn this day forever more.

As our nation grieves the loss of 50 lives and provides the comfort we can to our Muslim community, never has the time for kindness, compassion and unity been more critical. While we process our grief and hold our loved ones tight, I think of our Muslim brothers and sisters, and the loved ones they are burying – mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers and children – and I lament with them.

This edition of Woman’s Day is dedicated to those whose lives were lost. Soon after the attacks, like many readers, I was left reeling – uncertain how to cope and help. But as the human faces of the tragedy became known, I realised what we could do. Woman’s Day can honour the stories of those who have gone.

Our Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern’s guidance at this time of crisis has been incredible and she implored us “to speak the names of those who were lost”, to tell their stories. There are so many tales of heartbreak, heroes and hope that will come from this tragedy, and we will continue to share them for years to come. For they are us – and they will not be forgotten.

We have also followed our PM’s lead by deciding never to name the gunman who caused such terror in our country.

Instead, we will speak of courage, unity, acceptance, love and compassion. These are the things that Kiwis hold dear.