The episode refers to an act of terrorism, mass murder and the wounding of many people. It is graphic in parts and is intended for a mature audience.
Many people are against the name of the terrorist being published, but in this podcast episode, he is named at times. His case was heard in an open court and is well known, and the host and producers have decided not to create any sense of drama around his abhorrent actions by painting him as a nameless villain.
“At the outset of this episode of A Moment In Crime, I would like to acknowledge the 51 people who died in the Christchurch terror attack and their families, and those injured on that terrible day,” host Anna Leask said in the podcast.
For more on the attack, the prosecution, sentencing and investigations, the following articles offer a deeper understanding of the attack on March 15, 2019, and the aftermath.
The inquest into the terror attack will span six weeks from October 24.
More than 140 people and organisations have been given formal status as interested parties in the inquiry - including immediate family members of the deceased, people who were bullet-injured or otherwise witnessed the attack, and organisations recognised as representing the wider interests of the affected community.
Over the next six weeks, Deputy Chief Coroner Brigitte Windley will preside over the first phase of the inquest process, during which she will delve into nine specific issues:
- The events of 15 March, 2019, starting from the commencement of the attack through to the completion of the emergency response and Tarrant’s formal interview by police
- The response times and entry processes of police and ambulance officers at each mosque
- The triage and medical response at each mosque
- The steps taken to apprehend the offender
- The role of, and processes undertaken by, Christchurch Hospital in responding to the attack
- Co-ordination between emergency services and first responders
- Whether Tarrant had assistance from any other person on 15 March 2019
- The final movements and time of death for each of the victims - if that information is wanted by their family
- The cause(s) of death for each victim
- Whether any death could have been averted had alternative medical triage and/or medical treatment been administered to the context of the attack
- Whether the Al Noor Mosque’s emergency exit door in the south-east corner of the main prayer room failed to function to allow egress in the course of the attack, and if so, why.
The evidence before Coroner Windley runs, so far, to nearly 3000 documents, nearly 4750 images, 2720 audio files and upward of 80 hours of video.
Coroner Windley said it was important for the public to understand why - after a number of other investigations - the inquest was crucial.
“Some have expressed particular concern with the fact that the Royal Commission’s investigation was largely undertaken in private and that together with orders that now apply to the evidence it received, they have not been able to see and consider the evidence behind the Royal Commission’s findings, and feel that important questions remain unanswered,” she said.
“Some issues that sufficiently relate to the wider circumstances of the deaths but were not considered by the Royal Commission and only needed to be covered in a limited way in the criminal prosecution will be investigated as part of the coronial Inquiry.”
Tarrant will not participate in the inquest.
The first episode of A Moment In Crime was released in September 2019 and focused on the Christchurch terror attacks to mark six months since the shootings in two city mosques.
Episodes of A Moment In Crime are usually released monthly, and so far, Leask has covered 44 cases including the murders of Grace Millane, Scott Guy, Austin Hemmings, Carmen Thomas, Karen Aim; the deaths of the Kahui Twins, the Edgeware Road murders, the Christchurch House of Horrors and the massacres at Raurimu and Aramoana.
Last month a three-part special covered the case of rich lister and philanthropist James Wallace who was convicted of sexually assaulting three men and was jailed and had his knighthood stripped from him as a result.
A Moment In Crime has topped the overall and true crime charts on numerous occasions and has listeners in more than 80 countries.
The podcast won a silver award in the true crime category at the inaugural New Zealand Podcast Awards in 2021.
It was also nominated in 2022.
If you have a crime or case you would like to hear more about, email anna.leask@nzme.co.nz.
If you need support or help please reach out to one of the following services for advice:
