New Zealand PM Jacinda Ardern vows to NEVER name mosque shooter

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern (pictured in parliament on Tuesday) has vowed never to name the Christchurch killer

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern (pictured in parliament on Tuesday) has vowed never to name the Christchurch killer

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has vowed never to name the Christchurch mosque killer.

Australian Brenton Tarrant, 28, plans to represent himself when he stands trial for the shootings that killed 50 on Friday.

There are fears the self-confessed white supremacist, who referenced Norwegian mass killer Anders Behring Breivik in his 'manifesto', could use the legal process to espouse extremist views.

Ms Ardern, who opened parliament with a Muslim prayer, said efforts had to be made to prevent giving the gunman the attention he wanted.

'He obviously had a range or reasons for committing this atrocious terrorist attacks. Lifting his profile was one them and that's something we can absolutely deny him,' she said.

'One thing I can assure you, you won't hear me speak his name.'

In an impassioned speech in parliament, she called for heroes and the deceased to be spoken of, rather than the gunman.

'He is a terrorist. He is a criminal. He is an extremist. But he will, when I speak, be nameless,' she said.

'And to others I implore you: speak the names of those who were lost, rather than name of the man who took them.

'We in New Zealand will give him nothing. Not even his name.' 

Earlier on Tuesday, Ms Ardern told reporters that she would do everything in her power to deny him a platform for his racist views.

Ms Ardern (pictured on Tuesday), who opened parliament with a Muslim prayer, said efforts had to be made to prevent giving the gunman the attention he wanted

Ms Ardern (pictured on Tuesday), who opened parliament with a Muslim prayer, said efforts had to be made to prevent giving the gunman the attention he wanted

Brenton Tarrant, the man charged in relation to the Christchurch massacre, makes a sign to the camera during his appearance in the Christchurch District Court

Brenton Tarrant, the man charged in relation to the Christchurch massacre, makes a sign to the camera during his appearance in the Christchurch District Court

'I agree that it is absolutely something that we need to acknowledge, and do what we can to prevent the notoriety that this individual seeks,' she said.  

Asked if she would like the trial to occur behind closed doors, Ardern said she would prefer that but

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