Christchurch tragedy: Update on resources, support and memorial events

Updated – 21 March 2019: Note change of venue at Waitākere for the ‘Show of Love and Solidarity’ event on Friday 22 March (detailed below).
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There was a large gathering of staff at the marae for the morning karakia today. It was a special and emotional experience as the group shared their thoughts and messages of support following Friday’s tragedy in Christchurch.

Merran shares her condolence message on the memorial banner at Te Puna

Within our large and diverse Unitec community there will be staff and students who are personally connected and deeply affected. Please continue to acknowledge and support each other at this time. If you are working with students, please be extra attentive to whether they may be struggling over the next few weeks, and ensure they are aware of the services available to them, including dedicated student counselling at the Wellness Centre in Te Puna, with a team of mental health advisors who will provide confidential support.

Outlined below is further information on support resources for staff and students, as well as options to share your messages and condolences.

Support Services:

• Unitec Chaplaincy and Multi-Faith Service – An inclusive and holistic approach to spirituality. A confidential listening presence and support. Contact our Unitec Chaplain, Ricky Waters, mobile  021 733954 or email Mt Albert – chaplains@unitec.ac.nz; Waitakere – waitakchap@unitec.ac.nz

• Muslim Support Services – Sheikh Rafat Nahm, mobile 021 134 0501 or email R_najm@hotmail.com

• Student counselling services – A list of services is available on the Unitec website.
  The team has Mental Health Advisors who provide confidential support for students at Te Puna – B180, level 0. Phone 815 4321 ext 7248 or 0800 10 85 10 or email counselling@unitec.ac.nz

• Staff support service – Staff are also able to access our Employee Assistance Programme which provides a professional and confidential counselling service, paid for by Unitec. Call 0800 327 669 for an appointment.

Ngākau Māhaki marae:

Our marae is open to staff and students as a space for quiet reflection, during these hours:

• Tuesday        9.00am – 5.00pm
• Wednesday   1.00pm – 5.00pm
• Thursday      9.00am – 5.00pm

‘Show of Love and Solidarity’, condolences and memorial messages:

• Messages and flowers – There is a book for condolences at Te Puna near the Ask Me desk, B001 near the Library desk and at Waitākere near the Library desk at B520, and everyone is welcome to leave their messages and flowers outside the prayer rooms – B158 at Mt Albert campus and B510-3033 at Waitakere.

• Post-it note walls of support – has already begun at our Waitākere campus today as a tangible way of expressing the wide variety of feelings that we’re all dealing with. Te Puna and Pūkenga will also host the same.

• Memorial banner – Three banners are set up alongside the condolence books (locations are as outlined above) for students and staff to share their messages of support. These will be in place until Friday 22 March and will then be sent to the Muslim co-ordinating group, Federation of Islamic Associations of New Zealand.

• ‘Show of Love and Solidarity’ – This Friday at 12 noon Unitec will host a show of ‘Love and Solidarity’ across both campus locations, where you can show your support for the victims and their families, and the Muslim community. These will be held at the Mt Albert campus in front of Ngākau Māhaki wharenui and at Waitākere campus in the Social Commons space, B510 – level 1. More details will follow on the Nest and Student Portal.

Security

• Be vigilant. If you see anything unusual or you note any odd or unacceptable behaviour, contact campus security (keep these numbers in your phone): Ext 7777 (from a Unitec phone), 815 4321 ext 7777 or 021 610 877

• xtra security is in place at both campuses (including Mt Albert northern buildings). There will be regular foot patrols focusing on the more heavily populated staff and student areas, as well as monitoring of prayer rooms at both campuses. Local police will also be active onsite to provide additional reassurance for users of our prayer rooms

Please do use the resources outlined if you need support and take time to reflect on this tragedy. We  also encourage you to come along to the ‘Love and Solidarity’ event as this is an opportunity to get together as a whanau, and to support each other.