Christchurch mosque attacks: 'A challenge we must accept'

Two minutes' silence for the Christchurch terrorist victims at Te Ahu. Photo / Supplied

Around 70 people gathered at Te Ahu on Friday to observe two minutes' silence for the Christchurch shooting victims.

A challenge was laid down to each and every New Zealander in Christchurch on March 15, Mayor John Carter told a gathering at Te Ahu for two minutes' silence in memory of the victims on Friday afternoon.

"I urge each and every one of you to take up that challenge, and not miss an opportunity to make this country stronger for it," he said.

This was a time of sadness and for reflection as a community about tomorrow, and yesterday, he added, a time to think about those who died or were wounded, a time to think about the nation and its people. A time to think of tolerance.

"One thing we are very proud of in this country is our sporting prowess," Mr Carter said.

"We do well as a small nation on the world never thinking about the ethnicity or religion of those who play alongside us or represent us. We apply that tolerance to sport, but we don't always apply it to our everyday lives.

"I have made assumptions about people. I have assumed that I don't need to know."

The citizenship ceremonies that took place at Te Ahu every six weeks were a reminder that people from around the world wanted to become New Zealanders, "part of us".

"We need to do more to understand who each of us is and who we are," he said.

The ceremony also included a brief message from the Anglican Bishop of Auckland, Ross Bay, delivered by St Saviour's vicar Dino Houtas:

"Now more than ever the people of this land need to join hands with one another across the differences that can divide us, and recommit ourselves to a society that fosters peace and goodwill. The Christian scriptures encourage us to have genuine love for others, and to hold fast to that which is good. Our lives must show those virtues in tangible ways."