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New Zealand shooting: Jacinda Ardern visits Christchurch to pay tribute to victims - live New Zealand shooting: Jacinda Ardern visits Christchurch to pay tribute to victims - live
(30 minutes later)
New Zealand “alert” to risk of reprisal attacks
New Zealand police commissioner Mike Bush told reporters in Christchurch earlier that he was aware of comments made by Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan blaming New Zealand for the anti-Muslim attack and was “alert” to the risk of reprisals.
“We are taking care to be alert to all kinds of conversations and that will inform our deployment,” Bush said.
“What I can say at the moment most positively is there was only one attacker. The investigation focus is to work out if anyone else was involved in supporting or in any other way and we are still conducting that part of the investigation.”
Officers from the FBI, Australian Federal Police and New South Wales police are on the ground in New Zealand to assist with the investigation and determine whether the suspect in the attack received assistance either in NZ or overseas.
“We are also working very closely with other countries, other five eyes partners, in terms of cooperation around the profile and travels, etc, to build a comprehensive picture of this person that we will put before the court.”
Bush said he understood the frustration of the families of the 50 people killed in the attack and that authorities were working to release bodies as quickly as they could.
Six bodies were released to their families for burial last night and a total of 21 have been formally identified and ready for release. The majority are expected to be cleared for release by tonight, but Bush warned that some would take longer.
“We must prove for prosecution the cause of death to the satisfaction of the judge,” he told reporters. “You cannot convict for murder without proving that cause of death... to get it wrong is unforgivable and you cannot come back from that.”
Prime Minister Scott Morrison says the Turkish president’s warning that anti-Muslim Australians will return home in coffins like their grandfathers if they visit his country is “deeply offensive”.
Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said people coming to Turkey with anti-Muslim views would be sent back in coffins like their grandfathers – a reference to the battle of Gallipoli in the first world war – following the Christchurch mosque massacres.
“I find the comments deeply offensive but also unhelpful. I think it’s our job here not to escalate this. It’s our job to take the temperature down,” Mr Morrison told 2GB radio on Wednesday.
Erdoğan also called on New Zealand to amend its laws to ensure that the attacker is severely punished. Erdogan said, “If New Zealand fails to hold the attacker accountable, one way or another we will hold him to account.”
He went on to criticise New Zealand and Australia for sending troops to Turkey in the first world war Gallipoli campaign, claiming their motive was anti-Islam-oriented.
Erdoğan has repeatedly shown video footage of the Christchurch mosque attacks to crowds at election rallies and said he would send home “in caskets” anyone attempting such an attack in Turkey, which he claimed was not the work of a lone gunman, comments that have elicited strong criticism from New Zealand.
The event has wrapped up and Jacinda Ardern has left the school. As she turned to go a small girl ran up and gave her a hug.
Just as the prime minister was leaving a tiny blonde school girl ran through the crowd and gave "Jacinda" a hug. New Zealand's PM hugged her back - prompting a large smile from the child @MsKateLyons
“They sound scared,” is the assessment of our reporter on the ground at Cashmere high school, Eleanor Ainge Roy.
"Should we have known more about this attacker? Should we have known more about his plans. The main thing is we have to ensure this never, ever happens again". Students are very worried about why the alleged killer wasn't known or identified before the attack. They sound scared
Students are asking when a memorial will be held. Ardern says there will be a national memorial day "really soon". Ardern is explaining the killer is australiam who has sporadically come to NZ. She is not referring to him by name She indicated yesterday she never would again.
A student has asked about when gun laws will change. Ardern says they will announce details by Monday. Ardern is saying they will be introduced more swiftly than changes to Australian gun law after the port Arthur massacre.
Ardern is explaining why the alleged killer has only had one charge against him. She says there will be "many, many more charges against him". Ardern is explaining why the country remains on high alert, but says there is no specific threat. @MsKateLyons
Ardern has been asked how her government will stop another attack in the future. She says there are gaps on gun law. And work on social media, as well as an inquiry. @MsKateLyons
A number of students have tears in their eyes and there is silence in the school hall. Ardern is asking the students to reject racism. She is asking the students to help her by ensuring they show no tolerance for racism in New Zealand - ever.
A student has just asked the prime minister how she is. "How am I?" says Ardern. "I am very sad".
Ardern is now speaking about the challenges posed by social media. She says it can be a tool for good - asking students to raise their hands if they heard about the vigil in Hagley Park through social media – but also says it is a place where messages of hate and division can spread.Ardern is now speaking about the challenges posed by social media. She says it can be a tool for good - asking students to raise their hands if they heard about the vigil in Hagley Park through social media – but also says it is a place where messages of hate and division can spread.
She tells students that she “alongside some of our international friends” will be looking into what can be done to stop this, but says she needs the help of the students to guard against messages of hatred and division as well.She tells students that she “alongside some of our international friends” will be looking into what can be done to stop this, but says she needs the help of the students to guard against messages of hatred and division as well.
“Never underestimate the power of just sending a message, looking out for someone, performing the haka,” says Ardern. “There is power in that, because you are sending a message of support.”“Never underestimate the power of just sending a message, looking out for someone, performing the haka,” says Ardern. “There is power in that, because you are sending a message of support.”
Ardern says that she is sure the students will feel as she does, that they want to make sure everyone feels safe, creating an environment where racism cannot exist.Ardern says that she is sure the students will feel as she does, that they want to make sure everyone feels safe, creating an environment where racism cannot exist.
“This is my request, I alone cannot get rid of those things, I need help from every single one of us, so yes, gather together, show those outpourings of love, but also let NZ be a place where there is no tolerance for racism ever. That’s something we can all do.”“This is my request, I alone cannot get rid of those things, I need help from every single one of us, so yes, gather together, show those outpourings of love, but also let NZ be a place where there is no tolerance for racism ever. That’s something we can all do.”
Ardern says events like Friday’s attack are “completely alien to us” because New Zealand is a country of peace and diversity.Ardern says events like Friday’s attack are “completely alien to us” because New Zealand is a country of peace and diversity.
“I bring the support of a whole bunch of New Zealanders for those who have lost someone and you would have seen that support, I think.”“I bring the support of a whole bunch of New Zealanders for those who have lost someone and you would have seen that support, I think.”
Ardern assures the students “It’s OK to grieve” and encourages them to call or text the 1737 number if they’re having a hard time.Ardern assures the students “It’s OK to grieve” and encourages them to call or text the 1737 number if they’re having a hard time.
“As New Zealanders we immediately want to do something to help, to contribute and make a difference... It’s why you’ve seen your school be offered cakes and funds to try and help the students affected,” she said.“As New Zealanders we immediately want to do something to help, to contribute and make a difference... It’s why you’ve seen your school be offered cakes and funds to try and help the students affected,” she said.
Jacinda Ardern is speaking. She begins by addressing the school in Maori.
She says she is here to hear what it has been like for the students, in light of the losses their school sustained in the attacks. Two Cashmere high school students and one former student died in the attacks.
Ardern says that after she has finished speaking she will open up the event to any questions the students want to ask her.
Jacinda Ardern has arrived at Cashmere High School and is being greeted by a haka, performed by students in the school’s gym.
400 Cashere High Students have gathered to welcome the prime minister who is visiting Christchurch today. In typical Kiwi fashion the principal has referred to the PM simply as "Jacinda". This school lost 2 pupils in the attack and had 5 student directly affected.
More tributes from the UK overnight. Prince Harry and his wife Meghan paid their respects on Tuesday for the victims of last week’s mass shooting at two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand in which 50 people were killed.
The couple visited the High Commission of New Zealand in London, where they signed a book of condolence on behalf of the British royal family. They also laid small bouquets of flowers outside the building, known as New Zealand House.
Harry and Meghan, who married last May and are expecting their first child this spring, visited New Zealand late last year as part of their Pacific tour.
Bush says that more 120 people are involved in the process of identifying bodies and trying to get them back to their families. This includes the country’s best pathologists, 21 family liaison officers, who are meeting with every family who have lost a loved one.
Bush says that while they are committed to returning the bodies to families quickly, the priority for the police is to ensure “absolute accuracy” in identifying the bodies, says Bush. It needs to be to “evidential” standard.
Bush calls the swift return of victims’ bodies to their families an “absolute priority” for cultural reasons and personal reasons.
New Zealand police commissioner Mike Bush is speaking now.
He says 21 bodies had been formally identified last night and were ready to be released to families.
Six more will be ready by midday, the “majority” by the end of the day. He says in some cases the identification “will take longer.”
A reminder that anyone who needs to talk in the wake of the shootings can do so by calling this number.
Overnight, Brendan Cox, the husband of murdered British MP Jo Cox, tweeted his support for Jacinda Ardern’s decision not to speak the name of the shooter in the mosque attacks, a decision he also took.
Yes, yes and yes again. When Jo was killed I vowed the same. I have often genuinely forgotten the person’s name and my kids have never heard it. Notoriety is such an important driver for terrorists and we should all get better at denying them it. https://t.co/KQ56cJ4Oki
Eleanor Ainge Roy who will be following Jacinda Ardern today to her various events in Christchurch reports that the prime minister has landed in Christchurch and is en route to Cashmere high school.
Good morning and welcome to our continued coverage of the aftermath of the shootings in Christchurch in which at least 50 people were killed.
After delivering a powerful commemorative address to parliament yesterday, Jacinda Ardern has returned to Christchurch today, where she will be attending events paying tributes to the victims and first responders.
Her first event, which starts at 10:30am local time (in about an hour) will be held at Cashmere high school, which lost two students and a former student in the shootings.
We will bring you updates of those visits and any other news that breaks as the day unfolds.
My colleagues Eleanor Ainge Roy and Calla Wahlquist are on the ground in Christchurch, follow us (Eleanor, Calla, me) on Twitter, and please get in touch if you have any questions, news tips, photographs or thoughts you want to share with the blog.