The Prime Minister has opened New Zealand’s first conference on Countering Terrorism and Violent Extremism, which is being held in Christchurch over the next two days.

Her speech was delivered via Zoom because her flight was canceled due to fog.

“He Whenua Taurikura, ‘a country at peace’, will look at how we can all contribute to making our country more inclusive and safe,” Jacinda Ardern said.

 He Whenua Taurikura will be an annual conference “promoting public conversation, understanding and research on radicalisation. It will look at ways to challenge hate-motivated extremist ideologies and to discuss priorities to address issues of terrorism and violent extremism.”

It brings together community, civil society, academia, the private sector and government agencies.

This conference will help develop options for the National Centre of Excellence, which will focus on generating research and public discussion to prevent and counter violent extremism, understand diversity and promote social cohesion.

Minister for the Government’s Response to The Royal Commission’s Report Andrew Little said “our goal is for New Zealand to be a safe country where everyone feels they belong, where all cultures and human rights are valued and celebrated, and where everyone can participate and contribute.”