Emotional haka at mosque after Christchurch shooting

Brittney Deguara14:50, Mar 17 2019

Footage of an emotional haka performed at the site of New Zealand's worst mass shooting has been shared online.

In front of a floral tribute near Christchurch's Deans Avenue mosque, the man performed a solo version of Ka Mate.

Do you know the man in the video? Email newstips@stuff.co.nz

Surrounded by mourners, he directed his haka towards the mosque, which was the site of the first shooting incident on Friday.

The video has since been shared and viewed by people around the world.

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A man performs an emotional haka outside a mosque in Christchurch.
SCREENGRAB/REUTERS STUDIO
A man performs an emotional haka outside a mosque in Christchurch.

"That was a beautiful thing he did for those people who were murdered ... very interesting and very honorable. Thank you so much," one Facebook user wrote.

Footage of another haka performed outside a mosque on the Gold Coast, Australia, has also emerged.

A group of Kiwis visiting Arundel Mosque performed the Tika Tonu haka surrounded by hundreds of people who gathered to join in and pray for the victims of the attack.

Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu released a statement on Saturday night expressing their support for the Muslim community.

"We now have a responsibility to allow the Muslim community to grieve in a manner that is theirs and to bury their loved ones with dignity and respect," Lisa Tumahai said.

Speaking about the community's priority, Tumahai said "no matter how angry or scared we are feeling at the moment, we must come together as one strong community to show care and compassion for those who made Aotearoa their home and who have now lost precious loved ones".

In front of floral tributes and mourners, a man performed an emotional Ka Mate for the victims of the Christchurch shooting.
SCREENGRAB/REUTERS STUDIO
In front of floral tributes and mourners, a man performed an emotional Ka Mate for the victims of the Christchurch shooting.

Since the initial incident on Friday afternoon, 50 people have died, with the latest victim discovered while police removed bodies from the two scenes.

Several vigils have been held around the country in wake of the terror attack. Thousands of gathered to mourn the victims and pay their respects.

A vigil at Wellington's Basin Reserve on Sunday evening is expected to draw more than 12,000 people. 

Stuff