Sarah McCrea, a friend of Lindy Curtis' daughter, places flowers across the street from the office where the three women were shot. Picture / Mark Mitchell
Prime Minister John Key has written an open letter to the people of Ashburton after the tragic deaths of two Work and Income staff in the town earlier this week.
Ashburton is a close-knit community and many people will know someone who has been affected by this terrible event.
I have been receiving regular updates since the events unfolded on Monday. Social Development Minister Paula Bennett and local Rangitata MP Jo Goodhew have both been on the ground in Ashburton
and have been telling me about how the community has pulled together since.
Work and Income staff across the country are hard-working and dedicated to helping other New Zealanders in need. It is simply unacceptable they are subject to abuse or in this case fatal violence.
My sincere condolences go to the families of those killed and injured. My sympathy is also with the staff at Work and Income and other witnesses who will be shocked and traumatised by what has happened.
