‘They will be feeling that too’: New Zealand PM Jacinda Ardern delivers powerful message of hope to Australia in wake of terror attack
- New Zealand PM Jacinda Ardern has sent out a powerful message to Australians
- Ms Ardern answered a question about Australia and New Zealand’s relationships
- The PM said the mosque shooting isn’t a reflection of trans-Tasman interactions
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern says accused gunman Brenton Tarrant’s Australian background won’t affect trans-Tasman relations.
Ms Ardern tackled the question of Australia and New Zealand interactions in the wake of the mosque shooting at a press conference on Wednesday afternoon.
Ms Ardern said she had a sense that Australians, like New Zealanders, are uneasy with the accused shooter’s background.
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern (pictured) says accused gunman Brenton Tarrant’s Australian background won’t affect trans-Tasman relations
‘We’re incredibly aware that Australians will be feeling that too,’ she said.
‘We have acknowledged that this person was not a New Zealand citizen. They did not grow up with this ideology here. They did come to us and bring this terrorist act with them.
But she also acknowledged although terrorist Brenton Tarrant was from the NSW town of Grafton, it had no bearing on future relations between the two nations.
‘But we do not see that as a reflection of our relationship with Australia or its people. And so I do draw that distinction. I think New Zealanders draw that distinction.’
Tarrant worked as a personal trainer in Grafton until about 2012, before travelling extensively in Asia and Europe before settling in Dunedin, south of Christchurch.
Police have now charged Tarrant with murder following last Friday’s shootings at two Christchurch mosques that killed 50 worshipers and injured dozens more.
Ms Ardern (pictured) tackled the question of Australia and New Zealand interactions in the wake of the mosque shooting at a press conference on Wednesday afternoon
Ms Ardern said on Wednesday she has spoken numerous times with Scott Morrison (pictured) since the attack
The New Zealand PM said she has spoken numerous times with her Australian counterpart Scott Morrison since the attack.
Ms Ardern has also spoken with opposition leader Bill Shorten and Australia’s high commissioner to New Zealand, Patricia Forsythe.
She praised the ‘fantastic’ support from various Australian agencies.
Ms Ardern confirmed she had postponed a visit to Australia planned for next week.