When RNZ announced a serious incident was happening in Auckland, I didn't think much of it. I never thought it would be revealed as a shooting with 3 dead, including the shooter (who I will not name) and injuries, including police officers.
RNZ's live blog foreshadowed the gravity of the shooting in a manner of speaking.
When you think about it, the Eagle helicopter, the NZ police and the Armed Defenders responded fucking fast and in full force. They showed competence and efficiency. You cannot fault them.
I've never been in that situation and my job does not involve me risking my life, (or being at risk of harm or death as a consequence of my job, such as being a lawyer and targeted because of my client), but I doubt some of the police officers and Armed Defenders thought or even had time to think they could be harmed and/or killed.
They also don't have much real-life experience as, for example, the US and as far as I can tell, did everything possible to look after and protect those immediately caught up in it. The photo of an Armed Defender on the roof with construction workers hit home to me.
To put some context around the shooting, the Women's Football World Cup starts/started today with the first match at 7 pm at Eden Park. The films 'Barbie' and 'Oppenheimer' are released today, which is relevant not just as films, but SAG-AFTRA have joined WGA to protest for fair wages, and the use of AI so films, TV series and chat shows have stopped in Hollywood and that will impact beyond the US. Lauren Dickason's trial is ongoing (the mother who killed her three children in Timaru in September 2021) and the American soldier who crossed the DMZ.
This against the backdrop of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, inflation and covid, which have taken a backseat, but are still sitting firmly behind us, backseat driving.
The shooting did make news in other countries/newspapers. If my timing is right the BBC took a while to pick it up and the Guardian was timely enough.
No shooter motivation has been announced at time of writing, nor if he died from a bullet shot at him or suicide. But the shooter did have history with the law in March 2023.
One quick note: Mayor Wayne Brown seemed to communicate compassionately in the aftermath of the shooting.
Auckland, since 2020, you have dealt with a lot, being an international gateway to New Zealand and so subject to lockdowns caused by covid more than anywhere else in the country, the terrorist attack in September 2021, the flooding at the end of January 2023 and Cyclone Gabrielle, Parker Posie, ram raids.
Being PM, you have to deal with a lot of issues and in variety, most of all the responsibility is the heaviest to carry. It's the job description. Chris Hipkins is in the 6th month of leading the country, but I don't think anyone could characterize it as consistently dealing with how to run the country or diplomacy, it's been unprecedented ups and downs. He's had to deal with conduct from four ministers too, if my calculation is correct, in addition to the aforementioned. He also accidentally made a mistake in announcing offending for youngsters and whilst he took responsibility, there's consequences.
To the NZ Police, Eagle Helicopter, Armed Defenders, First Aiders and all the other Emergency Responders, thank you. Thank you for doing your job. The death toll and casualties may have been higher if it weren't for you. You are the people who are passionate and you must be to do the jobs you do. Especially having to be the frontline against covid, you are still living with its impacts and may do for a long time. Many of you are overworked, underpaid and underappreciated. But you are the ones that are there when it is needed. There is no choice, it is "yes, we are on our way to help and protect you", not "no".
The loss and the pain from this shooting in the Auckland CBD on 20 July 2023 is felt and will continue to be. It may never truly leave you.
The only words that feel relevant and truthful to me to say is it's ok to feel emotional for a while, take care of yourself, indulge in that extra glass of wine, slice of cake, chocolate, sleep in a bit later, stay up a bit later.
I haven't done much with my day since I realized what had happened. It's one day. It's ok. My system is processing it. Above all, it proves I'm human.
Aroha.
-A.M.
