The transport industry is showing its support and solidarity for all the victims of the terror attack on Christchurch mosques last Friday.
Flags are raised at half-mast at major freight and port companies around the country as a mark of respect for the 50 people who lost their lives and dozens more injured from the shooting.
Road Transport Forum chief executive Nick Leggett says the RTF “joins with the rest of New Zealand to acknowledge and mourn the recent terrorist attack on members of the Muslim community”.
“This hideous massacre is a stark reminder that New Zealand is not immune from such events and that we have to be on guard against even casual attitudes that allow such actions to flourish.
“Road Transport is an industry that is proud to recognise the diversity of our workforce across New Zealand and we are sensitive to the needs of the Muslim community and to Christchurch at this very difficult time,” Leggett says.
Motor Trade Association chief executive Craig Pomare says MTA sends its “condolences, prayers and thoughts to all people in Christchurch, particularly those of the Muslim faith, as they try to come to terms with this tragedy”.
“MTA is connecting today with members across Christchurch to support them, their staff and families with free counselling, and also asking what else we might do to support them,” Pomare says.
Mainfreight has its flags at half-mast throughout all 260 branches around the world in recognition of all the lives taken.
“Christchurch was the location of our second ever branch and is now home to 14 branches and hundreds of team members – for these events to happen in a place we call home is incomprehensible,” the company says.
“To all those directly affected by [Friday’s] senseless tragedy, their communities, the city and to everyone feeling vulnerable in the aftermath – the whole Mainfreight family stands with you.”
Ports of Auckland is also showing its support for everyone impacted by the tragic event.
It was “devastated” to learn that among those killed was 33-year-old Atta Elayyan who worked closely with Ports of Auckland over the past five years.
Elayyan was the chief executive and founder of technology company LWA Solutions. He was also goalkeeper for the New Zealand futsal team.
Ports of Auckland head of communications Matt Ball worked with Elayyan for the SeePort event and says “a nicer man you could not meet”.
“He first worked with us about five years ago on an app to streamline our environmental processes and digitise our old paper-based clipboard inspections. LWA have gone on to develop our pilot virtual reality app and a virtual reality straddle training programme, and there are other projects in the pipeline.
“Those of us who worked with him found him to be a kind, caring and very intelligent man. He was a loving father, husband, brother, son. Atta’s friendly face, his bright smile, kind demeanour and expert knowledge will be greatly missed. New Zealand has lost someone special,” Ball says.
“Our flags are at half-mast today as a mark of respect to those killed by the terrorist in Christchurch. Allah yerhamon. We are a diverse group at Ports of Auckland and we would like to express our support for our Muslim neighbours, friends and colleagues at this terrible time.”
Lyttelton Port Company chief executive Peter Davie is also sending his support to all those affected.
“Lyttelton Port Company’s deepest sympathies are with the families affected and the people of our Muslim community who have suffered devastating losses. It seems shocking that such a thing can happen on this scale in New Zealand, let alone here in Christchurch, a city and a community that has already been through so much.
“But I know New Zealand, and I know that we will not let this act break us. I saw the way we all came together the last time our city was visited by tragedy, and I know that we will not let these events undermine our community, or our sense of what is right.
“We thank everyone who has banded together in their response on Friday, particularly the Police, Emergency Services, hospital staff, schools and businesses, and we are looking at how we at LPC can offer practical support to those affected by this tragedy,” Davie says.
Air New Zealand confirmed long serving aircraft maintenance engineer Lilik Abdul Hamid was among those killed.
Air New Zealand chief executive Christopher Luxon says the airline is devastated to lose one of its team.
“Lilik has been a valued part of our engineering team in Christchurch for 16 years, but he first got to know the team even earlier when he worked with our aircraft engineers in a previous role overseas.
“The friendships he made at that time led him to apply for a role in Air New Zealand and make the move to Christchurch. His loss will be deeply felt by the team.
“Lilik, his wife Nina and their children Zhania and Gerin are well known and loved by our close-knit team of engineers and their families, who are now doing all they can to support the family alongside our leadership team and the airline’s special assistance team. Our thoughts are with them and their family and friends as they come to terms with this terrible loss.
“I would also like to acknowledge the many, many other families, including the families of some of our other team members, who have also lost loved ones in this tragedy, and the wider Muslim and Christchurch communities.
“Like so many others here in New Zealand and around the world I am appalled by Friday’s events. New Zealand is well known internationally for its warmth and acceptance of all people and this attack cuts to the very core of who we are.
“At Air New Zealand we welcome all as friends and will continue to do so,” Luxon says.
Meanwhile, ContainerCo staff downed tools for 15 minutes at 2pm on Monday out a mark of respect. This took place across 14 locations including the Port of Tauranga and Fiji.
ContainerCo managing director Ken Harris told the Bay of Plenty Times his 300 workers are from many cultures and backgrounds and all were deeply affected by the tragedy.
Refining NZ, partly owned by major fuel companies Mobil, Z Energy and BP, raised its security levels following the attack.
“The thoughts and prayers of everyone at the refinery are with the people of Christchurch during this very tragic event.
“The national terrorism risk has been elevated by the Prime Minister and as a national strategic asset we’ve raised our levels of security accordingly.
“We will retain this level of security until further notice from the appropriate agencies,” the company says.
*Go to givealittle.co.nz/cause/christchurch-shooting-victims-fund to make a donation and support victims of the shooting.
