Over recent days, Jacinda Ardern has been acclaimed internationally for her response to the atrocity in Christchurch. Below, a selection of statements that have resonated

“It is clear that this can now only be described as a terrorist attack.”
– Press conference, a few hours after the attack, March 15

“[March 15] will now be a day forever etched in our collective memories. On a quiet Friday afternoon, a man stormed into a place of peaceful worship and took away the lives of 50 people. That quiet Friday afternoon has become our darkest of days.”
– Statement in parliament, March 19

“To the families, we cannot know your grief but we can walk with you at every stage. We can and we will surround you with aroha, love, manaakitanga, kindness and all that makes us us.”
– Statement in parliament, March 19

“We were not a target because we are a safe harbour for those who hate. We were not chosen for this act of violence because we condone racism, because we’re an enclave for extremism. We were chosen for the very fact that we are none of these things; because we represent diversity, kindness, compassion, a home for those that share our values, a refuge for those who need it. And those values, I can assure you, will not and cannot be shaken by this attack.”
– Press conference, March 15

“You will have heard me say in the media that, yes, this is an event that has happened in Christchurch, that this has happened to our Muslim community. But you are us. So we feel deeply in our hearts what has happened to you. We feel grief. We feel injustice. We feel anger. And we share that with you.”
– Meeting with the Christchurch Muslim community, March 16

“Speak the names of those who were lost rather than the man who took them. He may seek notoriety, but we in New Zealand will give him nothing, not even his name.”
– Statement in parliament, March 19

“We are a proud nation of more than 200 ethnicities, 160 languages, and amongst that diversity we share common values. And the one that we place currency on right now is our compassion and the support for the community of those directly affected by this tragedy and secondly, the strongest possible condemnation of the ideology of the people that did this. You may have chosen us, but we utterly reject and condemn you.”
– Press conference, March 15

“The clear lesson from history around the world is that to make our community safer, the time to act is now.”
– On plans to change gun laws, March 18

“We cannot simply sit back and accept that these platforms just exist and that what is said on them is not the responsibility of the place where they are published. They are the publisher not just the postman. They cannot have the profits without the responsibility.”
– On social media platforms, March 19

“A disgrace.”
– asked for thoughts on comments from Australian Senator Fraser Anning, March 18

“He asked what offer of support the United States could provide. My message was sympathy and love for all Muslim communities.”
– On her phone conversation with President Donald Trump, March 16

“No.”
– asked whether she agreed with President Trump’s remark that he did not believe white supremacy worldwide was a problem, March 16