Multicultural Festival has been postponed

The Multicultural Festival has been postponed. Photo / File

Tauranga's Multicultural Festival has been postponed, with no new date set yet.

Multicultural Tauranga president Ann Kerewaro said the difficult decision was made in light of the events that unfolded in Christchurch yesterday.

"It's nothing compared to what they're suffering down in Christchurch ... I don't understand someone can hate so much that they kill.

Police advised Kerewaro that the festival should not take place in for fear of a copy-cat situation.

"I didn't want to be dictated by extremists."

Tauranga City Council said in a statement it supported and understood the decision made by Multicultural Tauranga to postpone today's Multicultural Festival at The Historic Village.

Tauranga Mayor Greg Brownless said, "Our thoughts are with the families and friends of those who have been affected by the devastating events that have unfolded in Christchurch. The Multicultural Festival is about celebrating cultural diversity and harmony in our local communities. Once a new date is set, I encourage our residents to unite and celebrate the cultures from around the world that call Tauranga home."

In a Facebook post, the organisers said official advice from the NZ Police and the Tauranga City Council sparked the decision to postpone the festival.

The post said the decision was "based entirely on the unfolding events that have occurred in Christchurch today".

"Area Commandre Clifford Paxton from the NZ Police has informed me that they are not confident that they have sufficient understanding to provide us with assurance that continuation of the event is at an acceptable risk.

"...Tauranga City Council informs me that the Mayor Greg Brownless is not prepared to put staff or the citizens of Tauranga at risk by continuing with the event."