'Devastated': Sir Peter Jackson speaks out on Christchurch mosque attacks

Kiwi director Sir Peter Jackson has spoken out about the Christchurch attacks. Photo / Getty Images

Sir Peter Jackson has spoken out about the Christchurch mosque shootings saying "New Zealanders were devastated" by the attack.

Speaking to Variety at the weekend, the beloved Kiwi director said: "Our hearts go out to all those who have been harmed by this cowardly act of hate.

"Kiwis stand united in our love and support for our fellow Muslim brothers and sisters. We will do whatever we can to help them heal and rise above this terrible tragedy."

Sir Peter is just the latest of many Kiwi stars sharing messages of grief and love in the aftermath of Friday's attacks which have left 50 people dead and dozens more hospitalised.

Fellow director Taika Waititi previously took to Twitter to say "My heart is broken. My country is weeping and so am I".

He said he was "dying knowing that this kind of hatred can happen in my homeland" and added: "All my love goes out to Christchurch, the victims, the families, the Muslim community, and all who have chosen our islands as their home. This is not us."

My heart is broken. My country is weeping and so am I. I am dying knowing that this kind of hatred can happen in my homeland. All my love goes out to Christchurch, the victims, the families, the Muslim community, and all who have chosen our islands as their home. This is not us.

— Taika Waititi (@TaikaWaititi) March 15, 2019

He also went on to encourage people to still go to their mosques to worship and grieve. In response to a tweet by NZ Police urging people to stay away, Waititi wrote:

"Do not allow those criminals the satisfaction. Go to Mosque, Church, Synagogue, Marae, Maunga. Sink into community and love. In the words of Bob [Marley], 'The people who are trying to make this world worse aren't taking a day off. How can I? Light up the darkness.' One Love."

Other Kiwi stars who have taken to social media to share their support with the nation include the likes of Lucy Lawless, Rose McIver, Sam Neill, Sonny Bill Williams, Karl Urban, Russell Crowe and more.

Shocked , saddened and disgusted at this abhorrent terrorist attacking unfolding in Christchurch NZ . My heart , thoughts and prayers go out to all families affected.

— Karl Urban (@KarlUrban) March 15, 2019

40 dead in NZ.
Senseless, pointless, cruel deaths.
My heart breaks for all the families involved, and for the beautiful people of New Zealand to whose hearts this pain will attach, for a long time.
Kia Kaha.

— Russell Crowe (@russellcrowe) March 15, 2019

My heart is hurting about the news coming out of Christchurch. Sending love & prayers to the effected families❤️😢 pic.twitter.com/7PX9wc56b8

— Sonny Bill Williams (@SonnyBWilliams) March 15, 2019

#Christchurch.This beyond grotesque horrific white supremacist terrorist crime in OUR, YOUR little country. With love and heartbreak to the Muslim community of Aotearoa, we are with you. You are us. We are all NewZealanders. #TheyAreUs Kia kaha. We weep together.

— Sam Neill (@TwoPaddocks) March 15, 2019

KIA KAHA MY MUSLIM BRO'S AND SIS'S. TERRORISM HAS NO PLACE IN NZ.

— Madeleine Sami (@madeleinesami) March 15, 2019

Because I know you will understand... #Xenites #Xena pic.twitter.com/IOdKigBr7R

— Lucy Lawless (@RealLucyLawless) March 15, 2019

Want to wrap my arms around you Christchurch, around the families who have lost. Unspeakable unbelievable. This is not us. NZ is a open loving welcoming diverse country. This is not us. pic.twitter.com/qKHSLS7DUs

— Robyn Malcolm (@robynmalcolm) March 15, 2019

sending every bit of love to Christchurch and the entire NZ Muslim community. You should have been safe and you weren’t and I’m sorry 💛💚🧡

— Rose Matafeo (@Rose_Matafeo) March 15, 2019

My thoughts are with the Muslim community, my heart bleeds for Christchurch #ChristchurchMosqueAttack

— Urzila Carlson (@UrzilaCarlson) March 15, 2019

We will show the world what makes NZ special + unique by how we respond in our darkest time. We have zero tolerance for extremists, hatred and evil. We support and comfort those who are hurting. We are so appreciative for our medical professionals and police! #theyareus #kiakaha

— Kimberley Crossman (@kimcrossman) March 15, 2019

Kia kaha Christchurch, and the Muslim community of New Zealand. I’m so sickened by this news, and my heart is breaking for the people hearing they have lost loved ones in a place that is supposed to be sacred, and safe. Aroha nui.

— Melanie Lynskey (@melanielynskey) March 15, 2019

Part one: I can’t believe this has happened in New Zealand. A Sanctuary. A place to which you can escape when the rest of the world seems scary and “too much”. But to quote kowtow here, the “forcefield against the world” that we thought we had is not impenetrable... pic.twitter.com/yXRKC8NjWP

— Rose McIver (@imrosemciver) March 15, 2019

reeling from this. this is not a new zealand story. this is not us.

— David Farrier (@davidfarrier) March 15, 2019

Whakautua te kino ki te pai, te riri ki te aroha. Answer terror with goodness, anger with love. 💖 for our Muslim Brothers and sisters, and all who are in pain today, kia kaha tātou #KiaKahaChch

— Stacey Morrison (@formerlydaniels) March 15, 2019