New Zealand prime minister Jacinda Ardern has spoken about the terror visited upon Christchurch on Friday, calling it "one of New Zealand's darkest days".
Speaking at a press conference hours after news of the mass shootings at two Christchurch mosques broke, Ardern said it was "clear that this is one of New Zealand's darkest days".
"Clearly what has happened here is an extraordinary and unprecedented act of violence."
Ardern said that many of those directly affected by the shooting may be migrants or refugees.
"They have chosen to make New Zealand their home, and it is their home," she said. "They are us.
"The person who has perpetrated this violence against us is not. They have no place in New Zealand. There is no place in New Zealand for such acts of extreme and unprecedented violence."
What has happened in Christchurch is an extraordinary act of unprecedented violence. It has no place in New Zealand. Many of those affected will be members of our migrant communities – New Zealand is their home – they are us.
Ardern said she intended to speak publicly again on Friday after she had been further briefed, and urged people to remain indoors and follow police advice.
"For now, my thoughts, and I'm sure the thoughts of all New Zealanders, are with those who have been affected, and also with their families," she said.