Christchurch terror attacks: What you need to know
A terror attack in Christchurch on Friday has left 49 people dead and dozens seriously injured. Check here for the
latest on how this is affecting the city.
The events that have happened in Christchurch are distressing. If you or someone you know needs mental wellbeing
support or advice then call or text 1737 anytime day or night to talk to a trained counsellor.
Saturday, 12.25pm
Condolence book set up at Tūranga
A condolence book has been set up on the ground floor of Tūranga, the central library, so people can leave messages of
support and sympathy for those affected by Friday's mosque shootings.
Saturday, 11.50am
New fund established to support families
The Christchurch Foundation, at the Mayor's request, has established a new fund to help raise money to support the
families and Muslim communities impacted by Friday's tragic events, now and into the future. The fund is called Our
People, Our City.
Anyone wishing to gift to the fund can do so by at any TSB branch or by bank transfer to the Foundation’s established
bank account listed below:
The Christchurch Foundation 15-3976-0091104-80
Amy Carter, chief executive of The Christchurch Foundation, says The Christchurch Foundation will work with Muslim
communities to identify how the funds will be distributed and when.
“We are shocked and deeply saddened by what is happened in our city yesterday. Christchurch remains a place where all
peace-loving people are welcome and warmly embraced by our community,” says Mrs Carter.
Saturday, 11.10am
More event cancellations
Tonight’s performance of The Music of Bond at the Christchurch Town Hall has been postponed until further notice.
Polyfest 2019 has also been postponed.
The Openair Cinema has been cancelled tonight.
Beats and Eats down our Street, on New Regent Street, has been cancelled.
Saturday, 11am
Offers of assistance
People wanting to offer practical assistance to those affected by Friday’s tragedy can call the Council Contact Centre
on 941-8999 (or 0800 800 169) or email info@ccc.govt.nz. Staff will record all offers of assistance and forward them to the appropriate agencies.
Saturday. 9.50am
Attacks an 'act of cowardice'
Mayor Lianne Dalziel has described the terrorist attacks at two Christchurch mosques on Friday as an “act of
cowardice.’’
Speaking at a press conference this morning, Mayor Lianne Dalziel spoke of the city’s shock and disbelief at the events
that had unfolded.
“The reason we have been targeted … was because we are a safe city in a safe country. In my response to the choice of
Christchurch by this terrorist individual who chose to terrorise our city, it is an act of cowardice that he has
performed.
“There are no words to describe the revulsion that I feel for the propaganda that he wanted to bring with this and I
will not give voice to that propaganda. His was the voice of hate and the only way that communities can respond to the
voice of hate is to come together in love, compassion and kindness.’’
The Mayor said the immediate priority today was on providing practical support to the victims’ families.
She said if people wanted to leave floral tributes, they should take them to Rolleston Avenue and place them along the
frontage of the Botanic Gardens.
Watch the full press conference:
Saturday, 7.30am
Events cancelled
The Bryan Adams concert scheduled to be held in North Hagley Park on Sunday has been cancelled.
The cricket test at Hagley Oval between New Zealand and Bangladesh has been cancelled.
The Anthony Harper Summer Theatre in the Botanic Gardens scheduled for today (Saturday) has been postponed until Sunday.
All sporting activity scheduled for Hagley Park has been cancelled by the sports community. This includes cricket,
football, softball and pre-season rugby across the whole city. A few club games of baseball, league and touch at other
parks around the city may occur. Please check your sports code's websites and Facebook pages to check what games are on.
People who want a place to lay flowers for the victims of Friday's shootings are being encouraged to leave them along
the Rolleston Avenue frontage of the Botanic Gardens (along from Canterbury Museum, opposite the Arts Centre).
Flags at Council-owned buildings in the city are flying a half-mast until further notice.
A support package is being put together for victim's families and a special fund is being set up.
Friday, 9pm
Road closures
The following road closures are still in place:
• Blenheim Rd CLOSED between Clarence St and Deans Ave
•
• Deans Ave CLOSED south bound from Kilmarnock St
•
• Moorhouse Ave CLOSED westbound Lincoln Rd
•
• Moorhouse Ave Closed from Lincoln Rd to Deans Ave
•
• Riccarton Ave CLOSED westbound from Hagley Ave
•
• Riccarton Rd CLOSED eastbound from Clarence St
•
• Linwood Ave CLOSED between Aldwins Rd and Worcester St
•
• Cashel St CLOSED eastbound to Linwood Ave
•
• Hereford St CLOSED eastbound to Linwood Ave
•
• Blenheim Rd CLOSED eastbound from Clarence St
•
• Moorhouse Ave CLOSED westbound from Montreal St
•
• Christchurch Southern Motorway CLOSED eastbound from SH73 / SH75 Curletts Rd interchange
•
• SH76 Brougham St CLOSED westbound from Waltham Rd
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• Montreal St CLOSED southbound between Moorhouse Ave and Brougham St
•
• Durham St NO westbound access to Brougham St between Durham St and Barrington St
•
If you have an urgent need to attend Christchurch Public Hospital or Christchurch Womens Hospital there is currently NO
ACCESS via Riccarton Ave. Access is available as follows:
• From the south via Montreal St, St Asaph St, Hagley Ave
•
• From the north via Durham St, Asaph St, Hagley Ave
•
• From the east via St Asaph St, Hagley Ave
•
• From the west via Lincoln Rd, Moorhouse Ave, Montreal St, St Asaph St, Hagley Ave or via Fendalton Rd, Harper
Ave, Bealey Ave, Durham St, Asaph St, Hagley Ave.
•
Friday, 8.20pm
The following libraries are closed tomorrow: Hornby, Lyttelton, Bishopdale, Redwood and Spreydon. The rest of the
libraries will open at midday.
Friday, 6.10pm
Lockdown lifted
The lock-down has been lifted on all Council buildings and facilities, meaning people are now able to return to their
homes. Public facilities, including pools and recreation centres, will be closed for the remainder of the night.
Sport and recreation centres will be open as usual tomorrow.
Please be aware that there may be some road closures and traffic delays because of the ongoing police operation. For
more information on road closures check out the Transport for Christchurch Facebook page.(external link)
Friday, 5.05pm
Mayor delivers message
Mayor Lianne Dalziel has spoken on the Council's Facebook page(external link) about the unfolding incidents in the city Here is a transcript of what she had to say:
I would never believe I would be standing in front of a camera and talking to the people of Christchurch about the
shocking incident that has affected us all. We still have sketchy details about what has actually happened and I will
certainly be trying to get messages out to people as soon as I have more information to give. The city remains in
lock-down and it is important that if people are inside, they stay inside. Don’t venture out. This is still an active
situation and Police are still doing everything they can to get the situation under control.
The schools are in lockdown – the children are at school and they are safe. We have all of our facilities in lock-down –
we are not letting people in and we are not letting people out.
I think it is really important that people remain absolutely calm and feel free to talk to friends and family about the
feelings that you will have. It’s natural. I could never believe that something like this would happen in the city of
Christchurch, but actually I would never believe that this would happen in New Zealand. It looks as if simply the worst
has happened. We need to pull together and get through this situation.
I do apologise to those who are deaf. I would have somebody who signs standing beside me but because of the lock-down I
cannot get anyone into the building to support me. We will get a transcript of this up as soon as we possibly can.
Please send a message to any family or friends and pass it on that we are to keep ourselves safe under the circumstances
and as soon as we know any different we will let you know what is going on. There is a lot of speculation happening
right now and all we can do is trust the Police to do what they do best and to support them in the directions they have
given us.
Thank you for your time. I’m really sorry to be saying this to you today.
Friday, 4.50pm
Bus services in Christchurch have been in lock-down but Environment Canterbury is about to resume services. However,
some services may be affected by road closures.
Friday, 3.35pm
The current road closures are in place:
• Blenheim Rd CLOSED eastbound from Clarence St
•
• Moorhouse Ave CLOSED westbound from Montreal St
•
• Riccarton Rd CLOSED eastbound from Clarence St
•
• Deans Ave CLOSED south bound from Kilmarnock St
•
• Linwood Ave is CLOSED between Aldwins Rd and Worcester St
•
• Moorhouse Ave CLOSED westbound from Montreal St
•
• Christchurch Southern Motorway CLOSED eastbound from SH73 / SH75 Curletts Rd interchange
•
• SH76 Brougham St CLOSED westbound from Waltham Rd
•
Motorists are advised to avoid any unnecessary travel around the city at this time.
Friday, 3.30pm
Parents who are worried about children who may be at Council facilities can be assured that Council staff are looking
after them. Please do not try and get to them while the police operation is still under way. You will be advised when it
is safe for you to pick them up.
Friday, 3.20pm
Police road closures are in place on Brougham St between Strickland and Durham streets. Linwood Ave is partially closed.
Deans Ave is closed between Riccarton Rd and Moorhouse Ave.
Friday, 3.10pm
All Council-owned facilities across the city are now in full lock-down.
If your child was attending the climate change protest in Cathedral Square and you want to check if they are in the
Civic Offices, please call the Council Contact Centre on 941-8999. Council staff will take your details and check if
your child is in the building. Please do not try and come and collect your children until police say it is safe for
people to come into the central city.
Friday, 2.50pm update
All Council buildings in the central city are now in complete lock-down, with no one allowed in or out. This lock-down
will remain in place until further noticce.
Friday 2.40pm update
“We are encouraging people visiting Tūranga, the Christchurch Art Gallery and other Council-owned buildings in the
central city to stay indoors. We will be restricting access to our facilities and will require people wanting to enter
toshow identification,’’ says Council General Manager Citizens and Community Richardson.
“If you were planning on coming into the city centre to visit our facilities this afternoon, we urge you to stay away.
“We have opened up the Civic Offices to some of the student protestors who were in Cathedral Square when the shooting
occurred and will keep them here until we get the all clear from police.
“We have also advised all our staff to remain inside until this situation is resolved,’’ Ms Richardson says.