Grace Millane's death is a reminder of the huge amount of work that needs to be done to reduce violence directed at women in this country, says Jacinda Ardern.
Photo: RNZ / Rebekah Parsons-King
At her weekly post-cabinet news conference yesterday, Ms Ardern made an emotional apology to Ms Millane's family.
"There was a sense that I have that New Zealanders wanted to convey their sorrow to the family and I was in a position to do so," Ms Ardern told Morning Report.
"This is not the kind of thing that anyone wants to happen in New Zealand let alone to those who we are hosting here" - Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern
She said that while many New Zealanders felt moved by Ms Millane's death, it was also appropriate to focus on the country's shocking statistics on violence against women.
The figures for domestic violence would not necessarily be known outside of New Zealand, she said. "Yet we know we have that challenge."
"We have a specific person within government, Jan Logie, who works specifically on sexual and domestic violence.
"We have identified that we have continued to work in silos at government level, including agencies, so we are finally bringing together these issues and it is an area I expect us to invest in, in the Budget."
Ms Ardern added that in the 2018 Budget, front-line domestic violence support received funding - the first time they had received for several years.
She said she took the opportunity to apologise to Ms Millane's family after talking with members of the public, seeing the outpourings on social media, and people setting up vigils.
"This is not the kind of thing anyone wants to happen in New Zealand let alone to those we're hosting here, and just the tragedy of it for her family and to see their grief so publicly."
So far the family has not responded to her offer of any assistance, she said, however she was mindful that Ms Millane's death had occurred a long distance from her home country and additional circumstances might arise for her family.
"I'm sure New Zealanders would want everything done."
A 26-year-old man has been charged with Ms Millane's murder and appeared in the Auckland District Court yesterday.
Where to get help:
Women's Refuge: (0800 733 843)
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