“The gaps and flaws in the system in our society are laid bare in the royal commission report,” she said.

Kiran Munir, who lost her husband, Haroon Mahmood, said there was an “urgent need to have well defined laws for hate crime and hate speech” as recommended by the royal commission into the attack and as promised by Ardern during last year’s election campaign. That is what we have been taught.”Īmid the personal tributes, there were also pleas for more action. She said living a principled life was just as important as remembering the dead: “Spread kindness. “They had so much to give to this land, they were proud Kiwis and we were blessed to have them in our lives.” Maha Elmadani, whose father, Ali Mah’d Elmadani, was among the dead, said those killed were loving fathers, mothers, brothers and sons. I kept thinking of my two sons, my mother, my siblings and all the people I love.” He cried as he recalled the moment the father of three-year-old Mucaad Ibrahim was told he had died. I sat on the ground beside an ambulance … my body filled with pain and fear. “The 200-metre walk to the ambulance was the longest, hardest path I have ever taken. He said the victims were “proud Cantabrians and New Zealanders – they are us” and described how he managed to escape Al Noor mosque with a friend. He said 15 March 2019 was the day that “marked history with a dark stain”. Temel Atacocugu, who was shot nine times in the face, arms and legs, delivered an address on behalf of the injured, according to Stuff.

On Saturday, representatives of bereaved families, affected youth, the wounded and the community gave speeches to those assembled. He was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. The 30-year-old pleaded guilty last year to 51 counts of murder, 40 counts of attempted murder and one count of terrorism. However, the country has maintained a low level of gun violence with Friday's attack being the biggest mass shooting in the country's recent history.In the 15 March 2019 attacks, Tarrant killed 44 people at Al Noor mosque during Friday prayers before driving to the Linwood mosque, where he killed another seven. There are an estimated 1.5 million firearms in New Zealand for a population of nearly five million. 'We cannot be deterred, gun laws have to be changed regardless on activity from gun retailers,' she said speaking to reporters. The Prime Minister pledged that the country's gun laws would change, adding that a ban on semi-automatic weapons would be considered.Īrdern said that Parliament would convene on Monday to discuss a change in gun policies. 'The offender was mobile, there were two other firearms in the vehicle that the offender was in, and it absolutely was his intention to continue with his attack,' Ardern told reporters in Christchurch on Saturday.Īrdern added that Tarrant was a licensed gun owner who allegedly used five weapons, including two semi-automatic weapons and two shotguns that were modified.

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