Christchurch attacks: Information

Information from Christchurch City Council and other institutions in relation to the Christchurch mosque attacks.
Attention: This post is over 2 years old and the information may be out of date.Attention: This post is over 2 years old and the information may be out of date.

Kia ora whānau. We are sharing information as it comes to hand from Christchurch City Council, the Police and other services and organisations. Keep up to date with all you need to know at Live information from Christchurch City Council.

National Remembrance Service Ko Tātou, Tātou We Are One - Friday 29 March 10am to 11.30am

A National Remembrance Service for the victims of the mosque attacks and all those affected by the tragedy will be held in Christchurch on Friday 29 March 2019 from 10am to 11.30am. The service, Ko Tātou, Tātou We Are One, will be held in North Hagley Park, jointly led by the city of Christchurch, the Government of New Zealand, Ngāi Tahu and the Muslim community.

It will be an opportunity for people to come together in unity, to show compassion, love and support for all our communities, and the value we place on being an inclusive and diverse country.

Broadcast of the National Remembrance Service

Friday’s National Remembrance Service is an opportunity for all New Zealanders to come together as one to pay their respects. Official broadcaster TVNZ’s live coverage, presented by Hilary Barry and Scotty Morrison, with John Campbell in the field, will begin at 9:55am on TVNZ 1.The official service begins at 10am and coverage will run through to approximately 11:30am.

TVNZ will also live stream the event on TVNZ OnDemand and 1 NEWS NOW. Overseas viewers will be able to watch the special coverage via the 1 NEWS NOW live stream.

Radio New Zealand live updates: 'Ko tātou, tātou - We are one' Christchurch mosque attacks national remembrance service

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. Tūranga is open from 8am to 8pm Monday to Friday, and 10am to 5pm on Saturday and Sunday.

Great Hall at The Arts Centre te Matatiki Toi Ora

The Great Hall at The Arts Centre te Matatiki Toi Ora in Worcester Boulevard is open as a place of reflection and gathering. All are welcome.

Support and help

Donations are being accepted for The Christchurch Foundation's Our People, Our City Fund at most banks or by bank transfer to the following bank account: The Christchurch Foundation 15-3976-0091104-80. The foundation will work with Muslim communities to distribute the fund.

Anyone 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.

People needing mental well-being support or advice can call or text 1737 anytime day or night to talk to a trained counsellor.

ACC has information on Support available to victims of Christchurch terror attack.

Schools and Early Childhood Education

The Ministry of Education has released Tips for parents and educators: Supporting children and young people. 

Community events

Two community-driven events took place in North Hagley Park:

  • People are being invited to gather for the Remember Those Who Lost Their Lives 15-3-19 vigil from 5pm until 7pm on Sunday 24 March. Christchurch City Council is helping the organisers of this event by offering assistance with traffic management, security, portaloos, lighting and signage.
  • A Christchurch March for Love is also planned for this Saturday 23 March at 10am. Organised by Christchurch students, the march aims to bring people together to show their love in a time of great adversity.

Library hours Saturday 16 March
Normal hours will resume on Sunday 17 March

Libraries will not open until midday on Saturday 16 March (libraries that are open from 10am to 1pm will not open on Saturday).

  • Akaroa  - closed
  • Aranui - open from 12noon to 4pm
  • Diamond Harbour - closed
  • Hornby - closed
  • Linwood - open from 12noon to 4pm
  • Little River - closed
  • Lyttelton - closed
  • Matuku Takotako: Sumner Centre - open from 12noon to 4pm
  • The Mobile Library will be at Parklands Library carpark from 12 noon to 2pm
  • New Brighton - open from 12noon  to 4pm
  • Ōrauwhata: Bishopdale Library and Community Centre - closed
  • Papanui - open from 12noon to 4pm
  • Redwood - closed
  • Shirley - open from 12noon to 4pm
  • South - open from 12noon to 4pm
  • Spreydon - closed
  • Te Hāpua: Halswell Centre - open from 12noon to 4pm
  • Tūranga - open from 12noon to 5pm
  • Upper Riccarton - open from 12noon to 4pm

Friday, 6.10pm

The lock-down has been lifted on all Council buildings and facilities, meaning people are now able to return to their homes. The public facilities, including libraries, pools and recreation centres, will be closed for the remainder of the night. 

Sport and recreation centres will be open as usual tomorrow, but the city's libraries will not open until midday (libraries that are open from 10am to 1pm will not open on Saturday).

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.

Friday, 5.30pm

Friday, 3.50pm

All Metro Canterbury buses have stopped running until further notice, and the Bus Interchange is currently closed.

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.

Sorry that we can't let parents and whānau in - or let people out - of Tūranga while we are in lockdown, but be assured they are being cared for.

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 to show identification,’’ says Council General Manager Citizens and Community Mary 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.

Read more: Live information from Christchurch City Council.

Police urge anyone in central Christchurch to stay indoors and report any suspicious behaviour immediately to 111.