Candlelight vigil to be held at Claudelands Park after Christchurch mosque shootings

A row of flowers have been laid outside Jamia Masjid Mosque. Photo / Tom Rowland

A candlelight vigil is being held at 8pm tonight, at Claudelands Park, across from Hamilton's Jamia Masjid Mosque in Heaphy Terrace.

The vigil is being held to mark the tragic events that unfolded in Christchurch on Friday afternoon, where two mosques were attacked by gunmen, with 49 confirmed dead.

Outside Jamia Masjid Mosque, hundreds have laid flowers and covered the footpath in chalk messages, in different languages from around the world.

The messages all echo similar meanings, saying "This is your home," "Let's stand together - never again," and "We love you."

Members of the mosque have greeted every person that has came down to pay their respects, saying that the outpouring of support has been unreal.

National MP for Hamilton East David Bennett has also been present outside the mosque for much of Friday night, and Saturday morning.

Hundreds of Hamiltonians have left messages of love and support outside Hamilton's Jamia Masjid Mosque. Photo / Tom Rowland

"It has been so wonderful to see people from different races and religion in Hamilton coming down and offering their support," Mr Bennett said.

"It is good for them to see this sort of support and to show them they are not alone."

Hamilton mayor Andrew King, who organised the vigil for tonight, said that it was just a time for Hamiltonians to show the Muslim community that they are supported.

Mr King and other city councillors were also at the mosque until late on Friday in a show of solidarity and support and to talk with the many people who visited.

"This will be a weekend of few words, there are no words to sum up how the country is feeling. This is a weekend of coming together and standing with united with the Muslim community," Mr King said.

"We are not afraid, this is not right, and we will not accept that sort of behaviour in New Zealand."

Mr King said that Waikato Police will be at vigil to provide secuity.

Also on Friday evening in Hamilton, before the Super 15 rugby match between the Gallagher Chiefs and the Hurricances, the two teams observed a minute silence to mark the events.