A Nation under Shock

Column March 2019

After the long-lasting drought and several forest fires in the region, water had become scarce at the end of February. For fear of further fires and because of the water shortage the mood was visibly tense throughout Nelson. With the following month came the long-awaited rain. After all of this people were even pleased about the fact that this ugly weather lasted for two weeks.

Back in October I signed up for the cricket school team. Since I had no idea how to play this sport, it took me a few months to learn the basic skills. After the summer holidays I was finally ready to participate in games. Unfortunately, these matches are only played in good weather. That’s why, the last couple of trainings and games of the season all fell through.

In the last couple of weeks, we prepared diligently for a two-day white-water kayaking camp. Yet doing so was rather difficult with the low water levels. The precipitation shortly before our camp resulted in a rising in the river waters. At first, this made me feel a bit nervous, because suddenly we had to rattle down pretty decent sized rapids. It turned out, however, that this wild ride is the thrill behind this sport and exactly what makes paddling fun.

March 15th 2019 was a normal day of school. When one of my friends looked at his cell phone on the way home, he stumbled upon something that made him flinch. In Christchurch, the largest city on the South Island, dozens of believers were horrifyingly shot down in two mosques by an extreme right-wing Australian. The biggest bloodbath in New Zealand’s history triggered a huge shock wave. Nobody had expected that this idyllic peaceful country could become the scene of such a massacre. Also, because New Zealand, unlike Europe, doesn’t have a refugee problem. The few refugees from the Middle East are well integrated into Kiwi society. This also applies to the 50,000 Muslims who call Aotearoa their home. All the more, New Zealanders were shocked and showed their grieving support for the victims. The words “THEY ARE US!” by Prime Minister Ardern made headlines worldwide.

In Nelson, too, the dismay is obvious. Many people moved away from Christchurch after the earthquakes in 2011, including my host family. We had mufti day at my school to raise money for the victims. Many teachers wore a headscarf on that day to show their solidarity with the Muslim community.

The shock is deep. It will probably take a long time to get over this and to live on. Yet, New Zealand’s government reacted immediately with measures. The private possession of semi-automatic rifles is prohibited as of April 11th, even though this will cost the country around 210 million dollars. Kiwis want to make sure by all means that such an atrocity will never ever reoccur again. New Zealand emerges strengthened from this tragedy: as a united nation proud of its cultural diversity and freedom.