New Zealand Christchurch mosque shooting: Can only be described as a terrorist attack, says PM Jacinda Ardern

New Zealand Christchurch mosque shooting: "We are potentially still dealing with an evolving situation. And again, as I say, across multiple sites. Please be assured, though, the police are actively managing the situation. Agencies are already convening in Wellington.," Prime Minister Arden said.

New Zealand’s Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern speaks on live television following fatal shootings at two mosques in central Christchurch, New Zealand. (REUTERS)

New Zealand Christchurch mosque shooting: Hours after two mosques were targetted by unidentified gunmen in Central Christchurch of New Zealand, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern described it as a “terror attack.” “We believe that 40 people have lost their lives in this act of extreme violence. It is clear that this can now only be described as a terrorist attack,” Ardern said.

The death toll has now increased to 49, and one person has been charged.

“We New Zealanders were not chosen for this act of violence because we condone this racism, or because we are an enclave of extremism, we were chosen for the very fact that we are none of these things,” Ardern said.

“Clearly, what has happened here is an extraordinary and unprecedented act of violence. Many of those who will have been directly affected by this shooting may be migrants to New Zealand, they may even be refugees here,” the PM said in a media briefing.

Follow LIVE updates on the Christchurch mosque shooting here