On 15 March, 2019 a terrorist opened fire in two Christchurch mosques, killing 51 people and injuring dozens more, during their prayers.
The atrocities were livestreamed on Facebook, weaponising the internet and amplifying the harm on a scale of magnitude the world had not seen.
On May 15, 2019, Prime Minister Ardern and President Macron of France, led the adoption of the Christchurch Call to Action(external link).
The Christchurch Call is a series of voluntary commitments that bring Governments, Tech Companies and Civil Society together, with the common goal of eliminating terrorist and violent extremist content online.
The Christchurch Call is grounded in support for a free, open and secure internet, and the understanding that commitments must be respected in a way that upholds human rights and fundamental freedoms, including freedom of expression and States’ obligations under international human rights law.
MFAT works alongside partner agencies, including DIA, DPMC, Ministry of Justice and Police to meet New Zealand’s own commitments under the Christchurch Call.
In May 2024 it was announced that the Christchurch Call would become a non-government organisation(external link) from 1 July 2024.