Northland frontline officers to continue carrying firearms

Armed officers at Gig for Love, a free concert to show solidarity and honor the mosque attack victims, at Laurie Hall Park.

Police officers working on the frontline in Northland will continue to carry guns while the national threat level remains at high following the Christchurch terror attacks.

New Zealand Police Commissioner Mike Bush has instructed all frontline officers to carry guns while on duty "until we are satisfied that the risk to the community is reduced".

In Northland Inspector Al Symonds said that meant staff called to jobs would be carrying a Glock pistol on their hip and would have a Bushmaster M4 semi-automatic rifle in each police car.

Officers tasked with protecting specific people and areas were to carry the Bushmaster on patrol, which was the case at a free concert in Whangārei on Sunday.

At the Gig for Love, a free concert to show solidarity and honor the mosque attack victims, at Laurie Hall Park police officers patrolling on the fringes of the crowd were armed with semi-automatic rifles.

"People shouldn't be concerned at this," Symonds said.

Under normal circumstances, police in New Zealand carry pepper spray, batons, and tasers, and all officers are trained with the Glock and Bushmaster.

Meanwhile two weeks after the terror attacks in Christchurch, a national remembrance service will be held in Hagley Park to pay tribute to the 50 people who lost their lives.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said the service will be held at 10am, on Friday.It is expected to be attended by thousands, including foreign dignitaries and at least one member of the royal family from the UK.

Ardern said considerations are being given to simultaneously broadcasting the service to events in Auckland, Wellington and Dunedin, and providing links for events in other towns and cities.