Hawera High students creates Cranes for Christchurch for local mosque

The 'Cranes for Christchurch' chain hanging at the Hawera Mosque

A chain of peace now hangs at the Hāwera Mosque courtesy of Hāwera High School students.

The chain, dubbed Cranes for Christchurch, contains more than 50 messages of support, intricately folded into cranes by their authors.

The idea came from Year 10 students Regan Driever, Alexandria White and Adriaan Mostert, who chose the cranes as a sign of peace.

"We felt sorry for the families who were affected by the shooting in Christchurch," said Regan. "So we thought we would take them to the local mosque and hang them up for everyone grieving."

Alexandria said the cranes represented each person who had died.

"We also made the big ones for the children affected and for the people in hospital."

Once the 6m chain was complete, the trio carried it to the mosque where it now graces the notice board.

Hāwera High School principal Rachel Williams says she is proud of the response from her students to the tragic events in Christchurch.

"Our students have shown a great deal of empathy for the victims in writing notes and then folding them into cranes. Their response to support the Muslim community has been fantastic and we are exceptionally proud of them."

As well as making the cranes, students participated in the national Colour your Day mufti day on March 23, raising over $1000 for victim's families.

"This is double the amount we usually collect." Rachel said.

Marika Kupe King, a year 13 student, didn't let distance stop her being involved. While she is currently in Wellington Hospital undergoing treatment, she still joined in the mufti day by wearing lots of colour.

"She decided to participate in mufti day from hospital as she thought it was important to stay connected to her peers at school. This connection, and paying her respects, was of utmost importance to her." Rachel says.