A Ukrainian artwork has been brought out of Parliament's vaults, and the Ukraine flag is flying from Parliament, in a show of solidarity with the country's fight against invading forces.
Trevor Mallard and PM Jacinda Ardern unveil Ukrainian artwork at Parliament with members of the Ukrainian community Photo: RNZ / Angus Dreaver
The artwork - a map of New Zealand embroidered with traditional Ukrainian designs that was donated to the Parliament in 2016 - was unveiled at the Beehive this morning to a small crowd of Ukrainian New Zealanders.
Wellington resident Andriy Legenkyy, who has family still in Ukraine, welcomed the sentiment and called for New Zealand to do more.
"Even though in my heart I will always remain Ukrainian I am happy to call New Zealand my home, and proud of the extraordinary contributions that our talented, educated, hardworking and culturally diverse diaspora makes to the economical and social development of this beautiful land and its people.
"From the bottom of our hearts, nga mihi nui to all New Zealanders who support us over the past 11 days since Russia launched its devastating and unjust war on Ukraine. We see and hear your support, we feel and need it, but the country and people of Ukraine need even more."
Trevor Mallard and PM Jacinda Ardern unveil Ukrainian artwork at Parliament with members of the Ukrainian community Photo: RNZ / Angus Dreaver
The symbolic gesture comes on the same day Cabinet considers a bill which would launch additional measures against Russia and its allies in retaliation for the invasion of Ukraine.
Legenkyy said what Ukraine needed right now was swift and severe sanctions against Putin and his oligarchs, saying the Soviet Union collapsed because its elites tired of living without access to the West.
He also urged significant humanitarian aid and an offer of safe haven for Ukrainian refugees.
"As Ukraine is fighting for its freedom as a democratic society that our people built over the last decades since achieving independence from the colonial power of Russia and Soviet Union, New Zealand cannot remain on the sidelines. Please do not just pray for Ukraine and shine our colours on your landmarks, you must lead by example and take steps that make a huge difference."
Ukraine was fighting not just for its own existence but for the future of the free and liberal societies, democratic principles and peaceful world order, he said.
After an initial introduction and karakia, Speaker of the House Trevor Mallard said the artwork had beautiful craftsmanship and showed New Zealand stood with Ukraine "in the face fo this unprovoked and unjustified invasion".
"We've had an unusually hard time here for the last few weeks but, frankly, compared to what is happening to your relatives at home, it is nothing," he said.
"The actions of Russia are just an attack on the core part of democracy and that is something which as a Parliament ... we stand for democracies and we want to do thing which show our solidarity ... let this be a marker for our Parliament, in a war that affects all of us, a war which must come to an end."
"We've had an unusually hard time here for the last few weeks but frankly compared to what is happening to your relatives at home, it is nothing.
Trevor Mallard and PM Jacinda Ardern unveil Ukrainian artwork at Parliament with members of the Ukrainian community Photo: RNZ / Angus Dreaver
"The actions of Russia are just an attack on the core part of democracy and that is something which as a Parliament ... we stand for democracies," Mallard said.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said she had been reviewing the final text of the sanctions bill this morning, and the statement of solidarity was matched by every party in Parliament having stood against what was happening in Ukraine.
"We are totally unified in our opposition to what is happening to your country, its sovereignty and its territorial integrity at the hands of Russia.
"You are members of our community and this is your home, but I know your hearts are in Ukraine right now."
She said having another nation's flag atop New Zealand's Parliament was unusual, and a demonstration of the strength of feeling.
"All of us will have read devastating accounts of what is happening in Ukraine at present - it's another thing to think about it as if it were your family that's going through that at present. One of the things that struck me as particularly devastating is reading the accounts of those who are in Ukraine who may have family in Russia, whose family simply don't believe what is happening to them."
She said it would be an ongoing challenge to demonstrate to the people of Russia what was happening in Ukraine.
"We've already said nothing is off the table and we must continue to do all we can to stand alongside you."
