WELLINGTON (NNN-AGENCIES) – The bodies of those killed in the deadly shootings at two mosques in Christchurch will begin to be returned to relatives from Sunday night, New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has said.
The expectation was that all bodies would be returned by Wednesday, she added.
Christchurch Mayor Lianne Dalziel said earlier that council staff has been working on preparing grave sites so burials can occur as soon as possible, in line with the requirements and sensitivities of the Islamic religion.
New Zealand shooter sends manifesto to PM before attack
WELLINGTON, March 17 (NNN-ANADOLU – New Zealand prime minister’s office says it received a copy of
According to a report by local New Zealand Herald daily on Saturday, Jacinda Ardern’s office confirmed that Ardern was among many others who were sent a copy.
Other politicians that received the manifesto included National Party leader Simon Bridges and New Zealander Parliament Speaker Trevor Mallard.
The other recipients were largely domestic and international media.
According to the report citing a spokesman for Ardern, the copy was sent to an email managed by the premier’s office and has followed a standard procedure and sent it to the parliament’s security, then it was sent to police.
“The mail was setting his reasons for doing it. He didn’t say this is what I am about to do. There was no opportunity to stop it,” said the spokesman, according to the daily.
Tarrant’s manifesto has several anti-migrant, Islamophobic expressions, threats against Turkey as well as assassination list including Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
The 28-year old accused terrorist will remain in custody until April 5, a court in New Zealand decided on Saturday.
Friday’s twin terror attacks in Christchurch left at least 50 people dead.
The terror attack, during the weekly Friday prayers at the Al Noor and Linwood mosques in Christchurch, was streamed live on social media. The footage has since been taken down.
A woman who lost her husband during Friday’s mass shootings cries outside an information center for families in Christchurch, New Zealand. The white supremacist gunman appeared in court charged with murder in the mosque assaults that killed at least 49 people and led to the prime minister to call for a tightening of national gun laws. Photo courtesy PTI Photo
CHRISTCHURCH, March 17 (NNN-AGENCIES) – New Zeland the death toll from the Christchurch shootings has risen to 50 on Sunday (Mar 17), as Christchurch residents flocked to memorial sites and churches across the city Sunday to lay flowers and mourn the victims.
A gunman with a semi-automatic weapon massacred worshippers gathered for Friday prayers in two locations: a mosque at Deans Avenue in central Christchurch and another mosque in the nearby suburb of Linwood.
New Zealand Police Commissioner Mike Bush said a further examination of the crime scene allowed them to find another victim.
“As of last night, we were able to take all of the victims from both of those scenes and in doing so we have located a victim,” he said.
A further 50 people were injured in the attack, Commissioner Bush said, and 36 remain in the Christchurch Hospital, two of whom are in a critical condition.
Four people were arrested, but only 28-year-old Australian man Brenton Tarrant has been charged with murder.
Commissioner Bush said the arrest of two other people found in possession of firearms at a police cordon on Friday “was tangential to this matter”, while the fourth person had gone to “assist children in the area to get them safely, but did decide to arm themselves”.
Christchurch mosque attack victims’ bodies still being recover as NZ, Australia rally around Muslim community
Updated : 7:20
Makeshift memorials are popping up all over New Zealand and Australia as people pay tribute to those who lost their lives and look for ways to support the Muslim community.
Updated: 6:45 – Christchurch mosque shootings will spark New Zealand gun law changes, PM Jacinda Ardern says
Updated : 6:39pm, (NNN-AGENCIES) – New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has flagged immediate changes to the country’s gun laws in the wake of shootings at two mosques in Christchurch, where 49 people were killed.
Speaking at a media conference this morning, Ms Ardern said Brenton Tarrant, the Australian man charged with murder and remanded in custody over the terrorist act, had allegedly used five firearms including two semi-automatic weapons, two shotguns and a lever-action firearm.
She said he had been in possession of a “category A” gun licence, obtained in 2017, which allowed him to legally obtain the weapons in December 2017, and that he was not on any watchlists prior to the attacks.
“While work has been done as to the chain of events that led to both the holding of this gun licence and the possession of these weapons, I can tell you one thing right now: our gun laws will change,” she said.
“There have been attempts to change our laws in 2005, 2012 and after an inquiry in 2017. Now is the time for change.
“There are obviously questions being asked of how this person was able to enter the country and undertake this act of terror.
“I have instructed ODESC (Officials Committee for Domestic and External Security Coordination) to report to Cabinet on Monday on these events with a view to strengthening our systems on a range of fronts including, but not limited to, firearms, border controls, enhanced information-sharing with Australia, and any practice reinforcement of our watchlist processes.”
Before Ms Ardern’s announcement, former New Zealand prime minister Helen Clark told the ABC that while the country had gun control, there was room for improvement.
“We do have gun control. People have to be fit and proper persons to have guns. But undoubtedly, the law can be strengthened and improved,” she said.
“Personally, I would be surprised if the New Zealand Parliament didn’t accept that challenge head on to strengthen the law.
“I think we could do better, and a tragedy like this brings that forward as a priority.”
Updated: 5:45pm- Christchurch massacre: NZ PM confirms children among shooting victims – as it happened
WELLINGTON, March 16 (NNN-AGENCIES) – Children are among those killed and injured in the terror attack by a suspected white supremacist on two Christchurch mosques, the country’s prime minister said Saturday.
“It is clear young children have been caught up in this horrific attack,” Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern told reporters in Christchurch.
There were 39 people injured in the attack currently in hospital including 11 in intensive care, Ardern added.
“Those injured range from young children to the elderly. They include men, women and children and they were among those who had been both killed and injured,” she said.
Ardern also praised the bravery of two police officers who apprehended the suspect while he had two firearms in his car, noting “it absolutely was his intention to continue his attack.”
Earlier, police alleged both attacks were the work of one shooter, adding that it took 36 minutes from the first emergency call to when the man was arrested.
The prime minister arrived in Christchurch earlier and met with survivors and families of the victims.
Wearing a black head-scarf she told those gathered she brought messages of love and support on behalf of the country’s people. “New Zealand is united in grief,” she said according to Radio New Zealand.
She added that police would continue to be present at mosques throughout New Zealand until the threat was deemed over.
The man accused of the attacks stayed silent when he was charged with murder earlier Saturday.
Clad in a white prison suit and wearing no shoes, the 28-year-old Australian smirked when media photographed him in the dock, the New Zealand Herald reported. Photos showed him making an “okay” hand gesture during his appearance.
“He appeared very calm and took a lot of time to survey the media and lawyers,” Radio New Zealand’s Annekke Smith said, adding that the man did not seek bail or to have his name suppressed. He was remanded in custody until April when the case will go to the High Court in Christchurch.
Judge Paul Kellar allowed photos to be taken but ordered the man’s face be blurred to preserve fair trial rights. The courtroom was closed to the public.
Ardern announced earlier that she would work on changing New Zealand’s gun laws, confirming the alleged attacker used two semi-automatic weapons and two shotguns he was able to legally acquire.
“While work is being done as to the chain of events that led to both the holding of this gun licence, and the possession of these weapons, I can tell you one thing right now. Our gun laws will change,” she said.
Of the four people arrested on Friday, one person was a member of the public who was trying to assist the police with a firearm. Police were working on establishing how the other two were connected to the attack.
“None of those apprehended had a prior criminal history either here or in Australia,” Ardern said. “They were not on any watchlists here or in Australia.”
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison echoed his counterpart on Saturday, telling reporters outside Sydney’s Lakemba mosque that the main suspect “was on nobody’s radar” and that “this is the real challenge with regard to terrorism.”
Morrison added that it was too early to know if the man would be extradited to Australia.
Consular representation for any foreign nations involved had been provided, with Ardern saying, “at this stage I understand those involved include Pakistan, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Bangladesh, Indonesia and Malaysia.”
Many of the 4.8 million inhabitants of the country, previously largely unaffected by terrorism, took to social media to express their grief.
A fund for the attack’s victims and their families raised more than 1 million New Zealand dollars (690,000 US dollars) by Saturday afternoon and crashed crowdfunding platform Givealittle.
Ardern said she has been contacted by political leaders from around the world including US President Donald Trump.
“I spoke with Donald Trump this morning, he thought to call us directly. He very much wished for his condolences to be passed on to New Zealand,” she said.
“He asked what offer of support the United States could provide, my message was sympathy and love for all Muslim communities.”
Christchurch tragedy
What we know:
- Forty-nine people have been killed at two Christchurch mosques in what Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern is calling “one of New Zealand’s darkest days”
- The suspect has been named as Australian citizen Brenton Harrison Tarrant, 28
- He has been charged with murder, but police say other charges will follow
- Two others are in custody
- There are 36 injured individuals in Christchurch Hospital, with 11 in intensive care, including a two-year-old and a 13-year-old
- A five-year-old victim has been transferred to Starship Hospital in Auckland
- A Dunedin property where the suspect used to live has been searched and the surrounding cordon lifted
- The Warriors’ game at Mt Smart will be free of charge. The Crusaders versus the Highlanders game has been cancelled
- New Zealand’s national security threat level has been lifted from low to high for the first time in the country’s history
- The three individuals in custody were not on any watchlist, and had no criminal history in Australia or New Zealand
- More than $2.3 million has been raised on Givealittle for the victims’ families
8:55pm – The Givealittle page set up for those affected by the Christchurch terror attack is now the “fastest and largest” page in the site’s 10 year history.
It has raised $2.3 million in 24 hours
8:30pm – Vigils are also being held at Takapuna, Tauranga, and in Dunedin.
8:00pm – A vigil has begun in Claudelands park for people to pay their respects to those affected by the shootings
7:30pm – A video has emerged of the moment Senator Fraser Anning is egged by a young man, and then tries to punch the man.
Anning’s comments on the Christchurch attack on Friday have been widely criticised.
6:35pm – The lockdown at Hawke’s Bay Hospital has now been lifted.
After investigating police has determined there is no threat to the hospital or the public.
6:30pm – Over the last hour, families have made their way to the Christchurch Hospital for a briefing. They were told there would be a list of people who have been killed and a list of those having treatment in hospital.
Two men Newshub spoke to were extremely unhappy as they are still waiting for answers. They have nine people they are still waiting to hear if they are dead or alive.
6:25pm – A silver ferm will be displayed on the Sydney Opera House tonight.
6:20pm – Newshub has heard incredible stories of survival and heroism emerge from the Christchurch terrorist attack. One was from Len Peneha, a man whose home neighboured the Hagley Park mosque and rescued five people who were in it at the time of the shooting.
5:45pm – The iD International Emerging Designer show will continue with its show at The Regent Theatre in Dunedin on Saturday evening.
It will begin with a minute of silence as a mark of respect, while attendees are invited to make donations to support those impacted by the Christchurch shootings.
Extra security has also been organised, but their is no suggestion of any threat.
“The Board respects the choice of people who may choose not to attend the event and will refund any tickets for those who make that choice.”
5:30pm – Many families are still desperate to find relatives who may have been caught up in Friday’s incident. Hospitals have lists of those who are currently in their care.
It is customary in the Muslim faith to remove wallets, phones, jewellery, shoes and other items which could be used to identify them while in prayer. That has made it difficult for police to identify some of the individuals.
5:20pm – Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern told Newshub that one of the key takeaways from the incident was the sentiment that the shooting were not reflective of what New Zealand is.
She committed again to changing gun laws during her time as Prime Minister.
4:55pm – Police are appealing for more information about the Christchurch attacks on Friday.
They have created a “Tell Police” form where people can provide information, photos and other document.
Video footage can also be submitted seperately.
Police do remind the public, however, that it is not an emergency channel, and anything suspicious that is seen should be reported by calling 111.
4:35pm – The Canterbury District Health Board (DHB) has released a statement noting that 36 people are being cared for in Christchurch Hospital following Friday’s terror attack.
They are aged from 2-years-old to in their lates 60s.
Immediately after the shootings, the Canterbury Health System provided emergency care to 48 people.
Some people with minor injuries were discharged on Friday night, leaving 36 to be cared for the hospital.
Eleven are being looked after in the hospital’s intensive care unit, and one critically injured child has been transferred to Starship Hospital in Auckland.
4:30pm – A photo has emerged of Brenton Tarrant as a child with his family.
Photo courtesy Supplied.
4:15pm – Police are responding to a report of a threat at Hawke’s Bay Hospital, which has been put into lockdown.
Police are working to understand the circumstances.
Anyone requiring urgent medical assistance should call 111, or for less urgent matters people should attend their nearest medical centre.
4:10pm – It has emerged Brenton Tarrant, an alleged shooter, was a member of the Bruce Rifle Club in Milton since 2018.
The Vice-president of the club, Scott Williams, said the South Otago club was struggling to come to terms with the events on Friday.
4:05pm – Several drivers at the Melbourne 400 leg of the Supercars Championship have paid tribute to those affected by the attacks by placing silver ferns on their cars and helmets.
4:00pm – National leader Simon Bridges has tweeted a photo showing politicians from different parties united.
“New Zealand is uniting in this moment of despair. Today, I joined the Prime Minister and other party leaders in Christchurch,” he said.
“This attack is foreign to everything that makes us Kiwis, our beliefs, our values, our tolerance, how we live, and get along with one another.”
3:55pm – Ardern said there is a “primary perpetrator” but it is still a complex investigation.
3:48pm – Ardern wouldn’t explictly confirm reported comments from Attorney-General David Parker that the Government would ban semi-automatic rifles. She said there is a raft of changes to be considered, inclduing the modification of guns.
Cabinet’s only focus on Monday will be the Christchurch shooting and the aftermath.
3:43pm – She was asked what it is like being in the same building as the alleged shooter.
“I’m also in the same building as people who are bringing him to justice.”
She has been in contact with her Australian counterpart, Scott Morrison, on Saturday and will stay in touch with him.
Ardern also did not want to speak about whether the alleged shooter, an Australian citizen, would be extradited.
3:38pm – An update on the two other individuals in custody will be given on Sunday.
Ardern said she is not able to say how many children were killed in the incident, but some were. Most victims were men.
She said it is hoped all bodies will be removed from the mosque by the end of Saturday.
3:35pm – There are 39 injured people in hospital currently, with 11 in ICU, according to the Prime Minister.
Ardern said it is believed Tarrant intended to continue attacking before he was apprehended.
There is concern from the community about the burial process. Ardern said respect for the custom of the victims was necessary, as was the processes of the Coroner.
The Ministry of Education is working with Christchurch schools and learning centres following Friday’s incident and a trauma team has been mobilised.
3:30pm – Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern is speaking at the Christchurch Justice Precinct.
Security at mosques will continue until there is no longer a threat, but police, communities and central Government will stay in dailogue beyond that.
Earlier on Saturday she visited friends and families of the victims.
3:20pm – Attorney-General David Parker has reportedly declared that New Zealand will ban semi-automatic rifles at the Auckland Aotea Square vigil.
3:10pm – Police have reiterated their key priority is public safety, not just in Christchurch but nationally.
“We have deployed staff right across the country,” said Police Commissioner Mike Bush.
“Our other key priority is making sure that those people so horribly affected by these events get the support and welfare that they need.”
2:20pm – Crowds continue to gather near the mosque by Christchurch’s Hagley Park.
2:09pm – The Rock The Park event in Grey Lynn has been cancelled out of respect for the Muslim community.
2:04pm – Vigils are being held across New Zealand today, with one currently underway at Aotea Square in Auckland.
Ministers David Parker and Phil Twyford appear to be in attendance, as is Auckland Mayor Phil Goff
2:00pm – The Crusaders’ Super Rugby match against the Highlanders in Dunedin has been cancelled.
Each team will receive two competition points.
1:35pm – Mike Bush has said he was very happy to hear the Prime Minister’s comments about there being a proposed change in gun laws, but he couldn’t say more.
1:34pm – It was 36 minutes from the time police received a call about the incident until when one of the shooters was in custody, which has been described as “an incredibly fast response time” by Canterbury District Commander Superintendent John Price.
Bush said police were on site at the mosques long before then.
1:33pm – Police Commissioner Mike Bush has spoken about the additional individual arrested on Friday who was later released.
“As you know, we apprehended four people on the day, one was released quite early. A member of the public who just wanted to get their kids home, but decided to take a firearm,” he said.
“There was another couple arrested at a cordon, and we are currently working through whether or not that person or those persons had any involvement in this incident”.
1:32pm – Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has visited the Canterbury Refugee and Resettlement Centre along with Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters, National leader Simon Bridges and Green Party co-leader James Shaw.
“We are here now, but we will be here whenever you need in the coming days, the coming weeks, the coming months.
“Our show of solidarity is just not in the here and now. New Zealand is a place that we cherish equally for its inclusiveness, for its diversity and I will consider it my personal mission as Prime Minister to defend that so long as I have the privilege of holding this office.”
All politicians present expressed their horror at the situation.
1:31pm – Police and other agencies, includung St John and Fire and Emergency, are speaking to reporters.
1:30pm – Labour MP Deborah Russell shared a photo from outside a mosque in Kilbirnie in Wellington.
“Flowers, and people using chalk to draw symbols of love,” she wrote.View image on Twitter
1:20pm – US President Donald Trump says he can’t see a rise in white nationalism worldwide, despite the attack.
“I think it’s a small group of people that have very, very serious problems,” he told reporters at the White House, the Washington Post reported.
“If you look what happened in New Zealand, perhaps that’s the case. I don’t know enough about it yet.”
It’s been reported one of the suspects named Trump as an inspiration before the attack.
1:15pm – About $2 million has been raised for the victims’ families via crowdfunding sites.
More than $1m of that came from New Zealand-based Givealittle, and the rest from LaunchGood.
Hamilton City Council has announced a vigil will be held opposite Hamilton Jamia Masjid Mosque, on Heaphy Tce at 8pm Saturday night.
1:05pm – The Police Association is backing Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern’s call for a change to the country’s gun laws, and wants any debate about it to be “short and swift”.
“There is no place in the upcoming debate for the radical gun lobby which has made its presence felt in previous attempts to make our country safer,” said president Chris Cahill.
“The most dishonest thing, the most dishonest thing would be to say that I am shocked.”
12:40pm – Web forum Reddit has removed two of its notorious sections which frequently carrying horrific video content. It’s not clear yet if the ban is temporary or permanent.
“Any content containing links to the video stream are being removed in accordance with our site-wide policy,” ownder Conde Nast said in a statement.
“New Zealand is hurting,” said CEO Cameron George.
“We are New Zealand’s team in the NRL and we want the public to join us this evening to acknowledge collectively those who have been affected by the heinous act in our country.
“Let’s use tonight’s match as an opportunity for the New Zealand public to stand shoulder to shoulder.”
12:10pm – Suspected gunman Brenton Tarrant has appeared in court, handcuffed in white prison clothes and flanked by two police officers. He flashed a white supremacist symbol while in the dock.
He was remanded in custody without a plea and will appear again on April 5.
12pm – Actors Sam Neil and Oscar Kightley are among the well-wishers at Ponsonby Mosque on Saturday.
11:55am – A Christchurch man has claimed he was wrongfully arrested during the chaos on Friday afternoon because he was dressed in camouflage gear.
“I still don’t understand how I was doing disorderly behaviour for wearing the wrong thing in the wrong place at the wrong time.”
11:45am – The Bangladeshi cricket team have talked about how they only narrowly escaped the attacks after they left for a press conference.
The side had been at the Deans Ave mosque to pray, but left just in time.
11:40am – Auckland’s St Patrick’s Day parade, planned for Sunday, has been cancelled as a mark of respect from the organisers.
11:30am – The cordon on Somerville St, where the suspect lived until recently, has been lifted. Armed police remain outside.
11:22am – Suspect Brenton Tarrant has appeared in Christchurch District Court, wearing prison clothes and cuffs.
He did not apply for name suppression and has been remanded in custody.
10:45am – About 125 extra police officers have been deployed to Christchurch.
Comissioner Mike Bush said a “complex investigation” is underway.
“New Zealand has never seen an event like this before and NZ Police is dedicating all available resources to our response, not only in Christchurch but right across the country,” he said.
“This attack has been an enormous shock for all New Zealanders, and I am aware that there is a real sense of fear and concern for personal safety, particularly among our Muslim communities.
“I want to reassure all New Zealanders that we are doing absolutely everything in our power to respond to this attack, and deploying all available resources in communities across New Zealand.”
The suspect who’ll appear in court on Saturday is only facing one charge at present, but further charges “will” be laid, Bush said.
10:40am – A two-year-old boy is among the injured, the Canterbury District Health Board has confirmed. Another child is a 13-year-old boy. Of the 11 patients in the intensive care unit, 10 are male and one female.
A number of Muslim sports stars from around the world have sent their condolences to the victims and thier families, including Mohamed Salah and Enes Kantar.
10:30am – A Hoyts theatre next door to the Christchurch District Court has been emptied, and a guard is preventing anyone from entering.
One would-be moviegoer told Newshub they weren’t told why.
“Everyone’s on edge, everyone’s a bit worried,” he said.
10:20am – Flowers are being laid at the fence to Christchurch’s Botanic Gardens, the council’s official remembrance spot.
One of the bunches has a note reading: “You are loved. You are welcome. You are Kiwi.”
The latest information from the DHB says there are 47 in hospital, most of them men. Eleven are in the intensive care unit. Three of the injured are children, one of which has been sent to Starship Hospital in Auckland.
10:15am – Christchurch District Court says it will be closed to the public during the appearance of the 28-year-old man charged with murder, due to the heightened security risk.
10:05am – Canadian singer Bryan Adams has cancelled his Christchurch gig, which was scheduled for Hagley Park on Sunday – near one of the two mosques that were targeted.
“In solidarity with the victims of the mass murder yesterday in Christchurch, NZ, our concert scheduled for Sunday at Hagley Park will not go ahead,” the ‘Summer of 69’ singer tweeted.
“Tickets will be refunded in full to the card that they were purchased with.”
10am – Media have joined police and two soldiers the throng outside the court in Christchurch, awaiting the first appearance of the prime suspect in the attacks.
A police Eagle helicopter is flying around the central city, watching from above.
9:50am – Jacinda Ardern says US President Donald Trump asked her what support the US could provide.
“My message was sympathy and love for all Muslim communities.”
9:30am – Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern says the death toll at this stage remains 49. Forty-one died at Deans Ave and seven at Linwood Ave.
The child in a critical condition being transferred to Starship Hospital is aged five, she said. Previous reports said they were four.
Additional pathologists are being flown over from Australia to assist medical services in Christchurch.
The Australian man, one of three in custody, was not a Christchurch resident, Ardern said, with the suspects believed to have been based in Dunedin. None have a criminal history here or in Australia.
A fourth person who was arrested has been released – they were trying to help police, who arrested them because they were armed.
Ardern said intelligence agencies have been “stepping up” their investigations into far-right extremists, and “our gun laws will change” as a result of the tragedy.
The main suspect got his licence in 2017.
Ardern urged people to stay home if possible, call 111 if they see anything suspicious, and refrain from spreading the killers’ videos and material.
She is heading to Christchurch, as is National leader Simon Bridges.
The number to call to report missing people, she said, is 0800 115019.
