Prince Charles speaks of 'courage and compassion' in New Zealand following Christchurch terror attack

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Robert Jobson20 November 2019

The Prince of Wales today spoke of the “courage, compassion and tolerance” of the people of New Zealand in the wake of the Christchurch terror attack.

Charles, on a visit to the country with his wife the Duchess of Cornwall, said the way the nation reacted after the atrocity spoke volumes.

The shootings in March 2019 at two mosques in the city claimed the lives of 51 people and stunned the world.

Prince William flew to New Zealand within weeks of the attacks at the invitation of the Prime Minister, visited the sites and consoled families of victims.

Charles, the next monarch of New Zealand, spoke out during a visit to a sacred Maori site in Waitangi after a colourful welcome, including three challenges.

Reaffirming the relationship between the Crown and Maori people, Charles said: "As long as I have known this country I have been struck by the commitment of her people to what is right, even when it is not easy.

"New Zealand has faced up to the most painful periods of her past in a way that offers an example to the rest of the world.

“She has done so with courage, compassion and tolerance, qualities which, it seems to me, define the New Zealand character and were displayed so conspicuously following the recent atrocity in Christchurch.”

Prince Charles and his wife Camilla are sung a Waiata by children during a visit to Waitangi Treaty Grounds in Waitangi, New Zealand
REUTERS

The royal couple arrived at the Waitangi site, where the treaty between the Crown and the Maori people was signed 180 years ago, wearing korowai cloaks,

They were greeted by Titewhai Harawira, before three stirring challenges, watched by a crowd of around 500.

Charles added: “I’m here to humbly reaffirm my commitment to this bond between us, ensuring it endures for future generations.”

During the verbal exchanges one of the Maori elders, Waihoroi Shortland, asked Charles if either of his sons William or Harry could become the next Governor General of New Zealand to help resolve differences.

Prince Charles shakes hands with New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern at Government House in Auckland on Tuesday
AP

The last Royal Governor General Down Under of was the Duke of Gloucester - Charles’s great uncle who was “GG” In Australia.

But since then the role as the monarch’s Queen’s in a realm has been given to a locally born person who has given distinguished service.

Charles went on: "The Treaty settlements do not, and cannot, right all the wrongs of the past.”

“They can only go so far in easing the pain that has been felt by so many people.”

Once the formal part of the visit was over, Charles and Camilla strolled arm in arm around the grounds and met hundreds who turned out to see them.

Later Camilla visited Kerikeri Primary School where she met Liam Curtis, 9, who struggled with reading out loud until he teamed up with Meg, a dog that helps reduce his stress.

“I struggled to read our loud until I met Meg,” he said, “She sits with me and it really calms me down,” he said.

The school participates in “Garden to Table”, where children grow vegetables and fruit and then learn how to cook them. This includes preparing food for others and sharing meals together.

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