Debate has raged on over whether an Auckland vigil for victims of the Christchurch mosque attacks on Friday evening that tackled topics of racism and colonialism was "too political" or "too soon".
Responses have been flooding in to the Herald's inbox since a story yesterday highlighted how the tone of some of the speeches at the Jummah Remembrance at Auckland Domain calling out racism, colonialism and white supremacy had many people, who simply wanted to mourn and grieve, leave early.
Organisers and speakers have defended what some called a "political" tone saying they were "hard truths" New Zealand needed to address. They also highlighted how time was given for tributes to the victims, and prayers and waiata.
Thousands attended the vigil for the 50 Muslim worshippers killed and dozens injured in the Christchurch mosque attacks, and heard Muslims and tāngata whenua pay tribute while also covering experiences of everyday racism, and New Zealand's white settler history.
One elderly Auckland man of Ngāi Tahu descent, said he attended the vigil with his Muslim wife. They left early "in disgust" though, believing the occasion had been "hijacked by groups with political agendas".
He said he agreed the country had not been "as welcoming as we could have been", but Friday was not the time for that discussion.