Tauranga City Council has invited the community to come together in aroha – to support one another, to honour those who are missing and those whose lives have been lost, and to hold close all who have been affected by the recent landslides in Tauranga.
A community gathering – He Rau Aroha – The many branches of compassion – will take place from 7pm on Thursday, 29 January at Coronation Park in Mount Maunganui, providing a space for quiet connection, shared grief, and peaceful reflection.
Mayor, Mahé Drysdale said the gathering is a moment for the community to simply be together during an immensely difficult time, and to remember those lives recently lost in the Tauranga landslides.
“Our community is grieving deeply. This is a time for us to come together with compassion, to honour the lives lost, and to wrap support around those who have been affected,” says Mayor Drysdale.
“There is no right way to grieve – some may come to reflect in silence, others to stand alongside neighbours and whānau. However people choose to take part, they are welcome.
“This is a gathering of the community, where we can stand in solidarity with the families affected by this terrible tragedy. We come together to say thank you to all the emergency response workers and volunteers who continue to work tirelessly to return loved ones to their families.”
Event details
When: Thursday, 29 January
Time: from 7pm with karakia at 8pm
Where: Coronation Park, Mount Maunganui
More information will be provided in advance, including guidance around parking, on Council’s website.
