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
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• Deans Ave CLOSED south bound from Kilmarnock St
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• Moorhouse Ave CLOSED westbound Lincoln Rd
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• Moorhouse Ave Closed from Lincoln Rd to Deans Ave
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• Riccarton Ave CLOSED westbound from Hagley Ave
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• Riccarton Rd CLOSED eastbound from Clarence St
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• Linwood Ave CLOSED between Aldwins Rd and Worcester St
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• Cashel St CLOSED eastbound to Linwood Ave
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• Hereford St CLOSED eastbound to Linwood Ave
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• Blenheim Rd CLOSED eastbound from Clarence St
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• Moorhouse Ave CLOSED westbound from Montreal St
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• Christchurch Southern Motorway CLOSED eastbound from SH73 / SH75 Curletts Rd interchange
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• SH76 Brougham St CLOSED westbound from Waltham Rd
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• Montreal St CLOSED southbound between Moorhouse Ave and Brougham St
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• Durham St NO westbound access to Brougham St between Durham St and Barrington St
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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
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• From the north via Durham St, Asaph St, Hagley Ave
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• From the east via St Asaph St, Hagley Ave
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• 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.
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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
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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.

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