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Carter meeting with Somali community

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Ethnic Affairs Minister Chris Carter is meeting Somali community leaders in Christchurch today as a 33-year-old Blenheim woman of Somali descent appears in the Christchurch District Court in relation to yesterday's mid-air drama.

The woman is charged with hijacking, wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and two counts of injuring with intent after two pilots suffered knife wounds. One of the men has undergone surgery to his hand after the incident onboard the 19-seater Beechcraft. The other suffered wounds to his foot.


Air New Zealand Deputy CEO, Norm Thompson says despite the pilots' injuries they managed to land the plane safely. He says it has been a very traumatic experience but to get the plane down safely as they did was a fantastic piece of flying. Mr Thompson says the circumstances surrounding the 'unique' event will be subject to a major investigation.


Police say the woman allegedly told the pilots she had a bomb and made demands including ordering them to fly the plane to Australia.

 

Mr Carter says he wants to reassure the Somali community that the government will not tolerate racial or stereotypical abuse. He says his job is to make sure New Zealanders connect to different communities.

SOURCE: NZCity, February 08, 2008

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