When Kiwi poet Courtney Sina Meredith wrote her poem This is Us, it was a way of celebrating New Zealand's rich diversity. In the wake of the Christchurch attacks, Meredith says she wouldn't change a thing.
Her poem, which she created in collaboration with ASB, showcases New Zealand's cultural melting pot.
"It still really moves me," Meredith told The AM Show.
Host Duncan Garner pointed out the poignancy of the poem, after Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern used the term "This is Us" to unite Kiwis in the wake of the Christchurch attacks.
"I think This is Us is happening now more than ever," Meredith said.
"I think the outpouring of love and the aroha that the Muslim community is feeling from us really speaks to who we are."
"This is Us is a beautiful moment of where New Zealand is right now - it resonates with me, encapsulates who we are as a people - we are that big cultural melting pot."
Meredith says her poem has also helped people identify some "complicated truths" because people have to reconcile the gulf between the events of the Christchurch attacks and the country Kiwis know and love.
She says there's still work to be done to become more culturally aware, but that her poem is "speaking to the moment right now".
Watch the video to hear This is Us.
Newshub.
