One of the first people on the scene of the Al Noor mosque shootings has been denied help from Accident Compensation Corporation.
Yama Nabi says he has been unable to return to his job as a butcher after searching for his father among the Al Noor mosque casualties. Photo: RNZ / Cole Eastham-Farrelly
Yama Nabi was running late for Friday prayers and avoided being shot by just minutes.
His father, Haji Daoud Nabi, was among the 50 who lost their lives that day.
Yama Nabi saw many of the dead and injured as he searched the mosque for his father.
These images have stuck with him and he has had trouble sleeping since the tragedy.
He is not ready to return to his job as a halal butcher, fearing the blood he has to deal with in his job will trigger flashbacks of that day.
However ACC says it cannot help him with his lost wages.
RNZ understands the government is considering broadening the definition of who is eligible for mental trauma funding.
