Bridges SimonHon SIMON BRIDGES (Leader of the Opposition): As New Zealand woke on 15 March 2019 none of us could have imagined the horror and terror about to be unleashed on our people. As mums and dads brothers and sisters and sons and daughters in Christchurch went to work or to school or to prayer none of them thought for a moment that they would return home that night changed for ever. For 50 of the worshippers who entered Al Noor Mosque and the Linwood Islamic Centre in Christchurch for Jumu'ah for Friday prayers it would be their last day in this world. These New Zealanders had their lives ended and all of us changed for ever.For some New Zealand had been their home for a long time. They had made their lives here working in our businesses going to our schools living in rich and diverse communities and espousing everything good about our nation. For some New Zealand was somewhere they found solace in a world full of problems. New Zealand was for them a new a fresh opportunity: the chance to live in a country which embraced tolerance respect compassion opportunity and freedom to be who you want to be. It was for them as it is for us the best little country in the world. We let them down and for that we are sorry.The unimaginable hurt that our Islamic community is feeling is shared amongst all New Zealanders because I know that every New Zealander feels this wasn't just something targeted at our Islamic community or just at Christchurch as real as that is; it has happened to all New Zealanders and all New Zealanders are grieving with them.Over the past four days there's been a lot of soul-searching reflection sadness anger and shame across New Zealand and around the world. On Saturday I joined the Prime Minister and other party leaders in Christchurch for what was a day of anguish and tears. It was moving it was uplifting it was tragic and it was humbling. I was privileged to meet with the Christchurch Islamic community and the many people who came to support them.I came away realising that we all have a choice following the violence that tore through their community: to choose fear hate or anger; or to choose compassion love and forgiveness. Martin Luther King said it so well: Returning hate for hate multiplies hate adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars. Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that."Our strength as a nation is our compassion and our welcoming of diversity. It's been a hallmark of our culture for hundreds of years. This will not change us. At times like these we do not consider ourselves Christian or Muslim Sikh or Jew Māori or Pākehā Chinese Pacific Islander Indian or any other ethnicity—today and for ever we are all New Zealanders.In recent days I've visited mosques in Auckland and Hamilton adding my support to the voices and prayers of hundreds of thousands of others around our country. They welcomed me in as they welcome in their wider communities with open arms. Dr Asad Mohsin from the Ōtāhuhu mosque told me yesterday that he chooses love over hate. We will choose love too.However because our peaceful existence is so treasured hard questions will need to be asked about how this could occur here. Why are small networks of hateful people able to congregate online and elsewhere and attempt to sow disharmony? How can these hateful people then take tangible steps to carry out evil acts? Do our police and intelligence services have the people the resources the legislation and the technology to seek out and prevent such acts? While these heinous acts were carried out by an individual there can be no doubt that he had sympathetic associates—certainly online and possibly offline. How do we combat this in an age of social media and increasing technological challenges?These questions and others need to be asked of Government agencies individuals companies public commentators and numerous other groups. The formal investigations into these events need to be thorough open and honest. National will play a constructive role in this and in overhauling New Zealand's firearms laws. Now no one can understand why anyone needs military-style semi-automatic weapons for recreational use.In addition let's see New Zealand re-evaluate the boundaries of acceptable social and political discussion. Our resolve now should be to take every opportunity to push against extremism to call out hate and fear when we see it and to stand up to the vile ideologies that exist to spread hate fear mistrust and lies.It is always the case when tragic evil acts occur that we see an immediate counterweight of bravery and compassion. Christchurch has been no exception. Both civilians and law and order professionals immediately showed superhuman courage in the face of rapidly unfolding extremely frightening and unprecedented acts and events in this land. Medical professionals have worked non-stop since in truly horrific circumstances to save lives. I like our Prime Minister want to pay tribute to the New Zealand Police the ambulance services the Red Cross our Defence Force healthcare workers and the vast vast range of volunteers who have done so much to try and soften the brutal blow since Friday.While in Christchurch I met with a young police officer. I know his family very well. He was one of the first responders on the day of the shootings. He was emotional as he told me about what it was like that day. He has been a policeman for six years but he said no amount of training or experience could have prepared him for what he and his colleagues faced that day. No one could be. All of those who were working that day will never forget what they saw. To everyone who has responded on the ground in Christchurch thank you. You are heroes. New Zealand owes you a debt of gratitude."