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A muted media response to March 15

Published

4 years ago

March 20, 2023

On the first anniversary of the 15 March 2019 Christchurch terror attack, New Zealand’s media organisations were ready with a huge amount of special coverage, features and documentaries.

Stuff produced the Frank Films series Nine Bullets. It focused on Temel Atacocugu, who was shot nine times at the Al Noor mosque, and it features moving footage of him returning to the scene of the attack to reenact what took place.

TVNZ aired We Are One, a documentary following six of the victims’ families through their first year after the attacks.

The New Zealand Herald ran The Ripple Effect, a five-part digital series by NZME journalist Kurt Bayer.

This year, the anniversary of March 15 was a much more muted affair in our media. There was little new coverage from our biggest online news sites.

Stuff and the Herald republished stories they had done back in 2020.

The Herald’s print edition did not carry a story to mark the anniversary, though it carried a cartoon by Rod Emmerson which was devoted to ‘remembering our 51 brothers and sisters’.

RNZ’s flagship show Morning Report only ran one story, which was actually produced for its early morning show First Up and another following up on the progress of the Christchuch Call.

Meanwhile, March 15 was not mentioned anywhere on the front page of Christchurch’s daily paper The Press, though it did find space to point to a story from its Life section about cooking with garlic.

The front page of The Press from March 15, 2023 Photo: STUFF

The only stories the paper published that day on the terrorist attack that took place in its city were on pages 5 and 8.

The government echoed the media’s understated response to the worst terrorist attack on New Zealand soil.

Prime Minister Chris Hipkins sent a personal message to the families but did not mark the day with an official event or statement.

A spokesperson for Hipkins said his response was tailored to respect the wishes of victims’ families, who had told the government they wanted to commemorate the day privately.

It is possible several media outlets’ coverage – or lack thereof – were informed by those same concerns, and it is true many of the families did choose to remember their loved ones in private.

But it is also clear that several survivors and family members wanted more national attention on the anniversary.

Stuff published a story by Glenn McConnell late on 15 March focusing on a call to create a nationwide commemoration on 15 March from three widows of men killed in the attack.

The widows were concerned it took just a year for New Zealand to “forget” the horror of 2019.

1News reporter Thomas Mead – who covered the shootings on the day they took place and in the years following – quoted members of victims’ families who expressed similar sentiments.

“Some are telling us that they are now starting to feel forgotten, and that initial outpouring of love and support they felt after the attacks is starting to wane with the passing of time,” he said in TVNZ’s 1 News at 6

On TVNZ’s Breakfast, the Fulbright scholar Guled Mire echoed that, saying Muslim people might not have a single unified opinion on how to mark the anniversary but nobody wanted it to be forgotten.

Aya Al-Umari, who lost her brother Hussein in the attack, also told TVNZ’s Breakfast how she wanted the government and the media to treat the anniversary.

“The general consensus is just because we don’t want a government-led annual event, doesn’t mean the conversation shouldn’t happen. So there needs to be a discussion that’s a look back on the last year – what have we achieved, what have we changed, what can we do to mitigate such things from happening again in the future. That’s what’s important to me,” she said.

Even if the media didn’t want to focus directly on the victims, other story angles relating to the attack were on offer.

One of those – the ongoing and rising amount of online hate still directed at Muslims – was covered by Bridie Witton at Stuff.

Other potential topics were less well canvassed.

Many of the people who lost loved ones on March 15 or witnessed the attacks are still not able to get counselling sessions funded by ACC.

The Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet was meant to provide six-monthly updates on its progress implementing the recommendations of a Royal Commission of Inquiry into the attacks. Its last report was in July 2022 and its latest one is overdue.

Atacocugu delivered a talk at the site of the World Peace Bell in Christchurch. So far it has not been covered.

Mahvash Ikram has worked as a producer for Newshub and now for RNZ’s First Up.

She said the media could do more to make sure the victims of March 15 did not feel forgotten.

“The coverage was nowhere near enough,” she said.

“As a Muslim I can tell you that we don’t mark tragedies because we don’t want to dwell on them and we don’t want to re-traumatise ourselves. But as the media, not every story has to be about the victims. I want to know how safe is a mosque now,” she told Mediawatch.

“How safe is a temple? How safe is a synagogue? How safe is a marae? How safe is any place of worship?” I want to know how far we’ve moved on the Christchurch Call.

“We are stretched to the max in our newsrooms. I get that totally. But that is no excuse.”

Ikram said the media should be asking more questions of the government on its efforts to prevent future terrorist attacks, and mitigate the threat posed by online hatred and radicalisation.

She said she felt no assurance as a Muslim that another attack is not going to happen.

“I have spoken to a 13-year-old who told me in tears that she’s sick of being called a terrorist every day. This is a conversation I had three weeks ago.

“The same thinking and ideology that went into that massacre – those people have the same hatred for Māori. The same kind of hatred for other people of colour. The same kind of hatred for Jews.”

“I think it’s time that our national correspondents and political correspondents stand up and ask what are we doing to address the hate that’s on our streets and on our online platforms.”

Journalists could also be working harder to form relationships with Muslim communities, Ikram said.

Though the March 15 anniversary should always focus the media’s attention on the dangers those communities face, their stories should be told all year round, she said.

“I’m asking the media to build relationships with the Muslim communities so you’ve got stories all year round. If we do not build bridges now, we are going to create distrust in various communities, and we cannot afford to have distrust of the media in our ethnic communities.”

SOURCE RNZ

Latest News

Police say person who fired gun at officers still at large

Published

3 days ago

November 12, 2026

News Staff

Police say a person who fired a gun at officers in Napier is still at large.

Eastern District Commander Superintendent Joel Lamb said Police tried to stop a vehicle in the Pirimai Area at about 10pm on Tuesday.

He said someone in the back seat pointed what was presumed to be a firearm at officers pursuing the vehicle.

“Staff have then heard two distinct gunshots as the firearm was discharged.

“Fortunately, neither of our officers were injured, and the patrol vehicle did not sustain any damage.”

He said hours later, the vehicle was seen travelling north on the Waikato Expressway towards Auckland.

Police seized the vehicle at an address in Manurewa, but they had not found the alleged offender.

Lamb said people who lived at the Manurewa address were engaging with Police.

He said Eastern District and Counties Manukau Police were making enquiries.

“Presenting a firearm at a Police officer is a serious escalation that puts our staff and the wider community at risk. This behaviour is entirely unacceptable.

“We are taking this incident extremely seriously and will be pursuing all lines of enquiry to locate the offender and hold them accountable.”

Police asked anyone who witnessed the incident to contact Police on 105 or online using the reference number 261111/3764.

Information could also be provided anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.

rnz

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New Zealand sides named for RLWC finals

Published

3 days ago

November 11, 2026

News Staff

The players tasked with ending Australia’s Rugby League World Cup dominance have been named.

The Kiwis and Kiwi Ferns have announced their squads for this Sunday’s World Cup finals in Brisbane.

Both sides are chasing their first titles since 2008, and both are looking to end their opponents run of three crowns in a row.

“Our Kiwi Ferns have been so dominant in years gone by, and we want to bring dominance back to this jersey, so I think it will be a case of who wants it more,” said co-captain Georgia Hale of the impending clash.

The Kiwis get a major boost for the final as they welcome back Ronaldo Mulitalo after he served a one-match ban for a high tackle against Fiji Bati.

Mulitalo replaces Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, who moves to the six-man bench, which again includes utility Te Maire Martin, middle forwards Naufahu Whyte, Erin Clark and Xavier Willison plus fullback Keano Kini.

Loose forward Joseph Tapine will make his 30th Test appearance in a familiar pack again, including second-rowers Isaiah Papali’i and Briton Nikora, and props James Fisher-Harris and Moses Leota.

Winger Jamayne Isaako is on the cusp of claiming the New Zealand record for most Test points.

His five goals against Tonga lifted his career points tally to 225 – level with Shaun Johnson – while centre Casey McLean goes into the final with 16 tries in just eight Tests.

Fisher-Harris will again captain the team.

Fullback Ponga said the goal of the group was clear.

“We have high expectations around what we want to achieve, and obviously winning a world Cup is one of them.”

Meanwhile, Ricky Henry has selected a settled side to take on the Jillaroos, led by their lethal centre combination of Stacey Waaka and Mele Hufanga.

Veteran Apii Nicholls takes the number one jersey, Leianne Tufuga and Mackenzie Wiki on the wings.

Henry has stuck with his halves pairing of Chantay Kiria-Ratu and Raecene McGregor with Alexis Tauaneai, Georgia Hale and Otesa Pule up front.

Rounding out the starting pack is Shaniece Monschau, Kaiyah Atai, and Angelina Teakaraanga-Katoa.

“We have been building well throughout the tournament; we understand the Jillaroos side, and will give it our all to make New Zealand proud this weekend,” said Henry.

RLWC Finals:

Kiwi Ferns vs Jillaroos- 6.10pm

Kiwis vs Kangaroos – 9.35pm

Sunday November 15

Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane

Live blog updates on RNZ

Kiwi Ferns:

1. Apii Nicholls 2. Leianne Tufuga 3. Mele Hufanga 4. Stacey Waaka 5. Mackenzie Wiki 6. Chantay Kiria-Ratu 7. Raecene McGregor 8. Alexis Tauaneai 9. Georgia Hale 10. Otesa Pule 11. Shaniece Monschau 12. Kaiyah Atai 13. Angelina Teakaraanga-Katoa.

Interchange: 14. Ashleigh Quinlan 15. Annessa Biddle 16. Shannon Mato 17. Ivana Lauitiiti.

Reserves: 18. Brooke Anderson 19. Zahara Temara 20. Brianna Clark 21. Abigail Roache 22. Tenika Willison.

Kiwis:

1. Kalyn Ponga, 2. Jamayne Isaako, 3. Dane Gagai, 4. Casey McLean, 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo, 6. Kodi Nikorima, 7. Jahrome Hughes, 8. James Fisher-Harris (c), 9. Jeremy Marshall-King, 10. Moses Leota, 11. Isaiah Papali’i, 12. Briton Nikora, 13. Joseph Tapine (v/c).

Interchange: 14. Te Maire Martin, 15. Naufahu Whyte, 16. Erin Clark, 17. Xavier Willison.

Reserves: 18. Keano Kini, 19. Phoenix Crossland, 20. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, 21. Scott Sorensen, 22. Leo Thompson.

rnz

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Parliamentary Service working on extra chairs and offices for increased number of MPs

Published

3 days ago

November 11, 2026

News Staff

The chief executive of the Parliamentary Service is confident there will be enough room to accommodate the increased number of MPs and their staff coming into Parliament.

On current numbers, up to 131 MPs could be sitting in the Chamber following the election, brought on by a record overhang result.

Clerk of the House of Representatives Dr David Wilson told the Spinoff that currently the debating chamber had enough chairs to seat 124 MPs – including the Speaker of the House – and work was being done to accommodate more by altering the seating arrangement.

In a statement, Parliamentary Service chief executive Rafael Gonzalez-Montero said planning for a larger Parliament had been going for “some time”.

“Now that the election results have confirmed an increase to the number of members we are looking at several options.

“We are confident we will be able to accommodate all members within the Chamber.”

Chief Executive of the Parliamentary Service Rafael Gonzalez-Montero appears before select committee. — Parliamentary Service chief executive Rafael Gonzalez-Montero.

VNP / Phil Smith

Gonzalez-Montero said office accommodation for members and their staff would be “stretched” for a short time, but the new Members’ Building was only a few months away from “practical completion”.

That building – located behind Parliament – was due to be ready to occupy in April next year and had capacity to accommodate around 30 backbench MPs.

“All members should be in fit-for-purpose accommodation from that point,” Gonzalez-Montero said.

Following the 2023 election, 123 MPs sat in the Chamber – a record number at the time. That decreased to 122 following the resignation of National MP Judith Collins.

Collins held the seat of Papakura and stepped down in May and Parliament voted against holding a by-election because it was too close to the election.

The election result also meant high-ranking National Party MPs like Chris Bishop, Paul Goldsmith, Nicola Willis and Gerry Brownlee – Speaker of the House and an MP for 30 years – would likely not make it back into Parliament.

Only resigning or retiring MPs were permitted to give a valedictory speech meaning none of them would get the chance to give a valedictory statement.

Asked if their would be special allowances for valedictories, Wilson said in a statement that normally only MPs were allowed to speak in the House but the House could suspend its own rules or temporarily alter them.

“It could do so to allow former members to address the House.”

Wilson said no such arrangements could be made until the next Parliament opened and members sworn in.

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