On Saturday, the country remembers its worst-ever mass shooting and one of its darkest days.
On this day six years ago, a gunman opened fire at two Christchurch mosques, murdering 51 worshippers and injuring dozens more.
Across the country, there are events today honouring those martyred for their faith and a pledge not to let this happen again.
Temel Atacocugu was shot nine times but managed to survive.
For him, it still feels like it happened yesterday, and he continues to face the daily impacts of what happened, both mentally and physically.
“It is quite difficult for me to do what I used to do,” he said. “I can’t use my left arm because of nerve and muscle damage. It is very limited now.”
“I struggle to socialise, and it is quite difficult to do what I used to do in sports. I used to swim, play golf, go to the gym and go running.”
He used to own a kebab shop but can not operate one again because of his injuries.
He described the mental challenge like trauma from a war zone, with struggles to reconcile the fact the tragedy was man-made.
Initially, after waking up in the hospital, he could not believe what had happened.
“When I opened my eyes in intensive care, the first thing I asked was if that monster had come from New Zealand. I did not believe any New Zealander could do that to us while worshipping. I had always felt safe.”
Despite all that he faces, Temel still chooses to believe in the goodness of New Zealand.
I still believe today, New Zealanders all accepted us and we are all one.
He said the support shown across the country in the days after the attack showed him that.
When asked whether remembrance events should be kept every year, he said it presents an opportunity.
“Of course. This is an opportunity to get a lesson from the past. That massacre shows us the secret to why we have to be more tight about any ill treatment online, and we have to respond very quickly."
Every year, this event reminds us to wake up and work together against racism.
Finally, he paid tribute to the 51 people who died in the event and offered a touching perspective as to why they are not gone.
“Every day, I pray for them and remember them every time. They are not lost, they go up to heaven in what they believe. I remember every shuhada (martyr).
We will never forget them, and they will never be left behind."
