As the Prime Minister visited the mosque in Kilbirnie, Wellington on Sunday, the voices of the crowd rose up in heartbreak and song.

A young woman brought the crowd to tears with a powerful rendition of John Lennon's 'Imagine'. Many listening hugged each other and wept openly with emotion.

Jacinda Ardern arrived to the sad chorus of Leonard Cohen's 'Hallelujah', as the community expressed their grief.

The front of the building was covered in hundreds of flowers and messages of support, and the Prime Minister added to them with a message of her own.

Finance Minister Grant Robertson and her partner Clarke Gayford were also in attendance. Governor-General Patsy Reddy arrived shortly afterwards to place more flowers.