Britain and South Africa had the second and third highest number of registrations, compared to the 10 days before the attacks. Britain jumped from 505 to 753 – a 49 per cent increase. Loading Predominantly Muslim countries, notably Pakistan (333 registrations since the attacks), had shown a surge in interest despite their faith being the terror target. New Zealand Muslims have received an outpouring of goodwill in the form of vigils, flowers, messages and donations. Other Muslim majority countries showing increased interest include Malaysia (165 registrations), Bangladesh (82), Morocco (66), Indonesia (63), Egypt (59) and Turkey (59).

These were purely registrations of interest in coming to New Zealand and not visa applications, Elms said. Some of the interest in living in New Zealand appears to be a reaction to Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern’s empathetic approach to the victims of the shootings. Amin Yasir, whose father was seriously wounded by the gunman as they walked to the mosque in Deans Ave, said his family, friends and wider community in Pakistan were very impressed with the empathy she had shown. Yasir Amin, whose father was seriously wounded in the Christchurch shootings. Credit:AP "The way she handled this matter is absolutely exceptional. The people back in Pakistan are praising her and saying you are very lucky to have the Prime Minister with you." His father remains in hospital in a serious condition.

Cihangir Islam, a Turkish lawmaker from an opposition Islamist party, also praised Ardern. Loading "She says to Muslims in pain, 'You, you’re us!' She symbolically covers her head when she goes to a home for condolences; she boldly underlines her respect and solidarity," Islam wrote. INZ was committed to easing some of the burden immigration issues could have "during this time of stress and anxiety". Where necessary individuals were put onto longer-term visas to give them some certainty about their immigration status, Elms said. As at Monday morning, 174 visitor visas had been granted to family members wanting to come to New Zealand. Nearly all the visas were approved within 24 hours and no visitor visa applications from family members had been declined.

"INZ has had staff at the agency hub dealing directly with family members." So far INZ had received nine applications from relatives of victims for further visas in line with their current status in New Zealand. All had been approved. "The government is currently considering residence options for those affected by the attacks and will make an announcement in due course." New Zealanders at a March for Love following the attacks. Credit:AP Salwa Mohammed, whose husband Khalid Mustafa and 16-year-old son Hamza Mustafa, were fatally shot at the Masjid Al-Noor, is hoping her mother and two brothers will be allowed to live with her permanently.

"I have family living in Turkey – my mum and my two brothers. I need them to come and live with me here, because I don’t have family here. If I don’t find anyone to live with me here, so I need to leave the country." I need them to come and live with me here, because I don’t have family here. Salwa Mohammed, Christchurch terror victim Acting manager for Ministry of Social Development (MSD) service delivery Liz Jones said her ministry was working especially with those who had lost loved ones, "to make sure we provide all the help we can, including financial support". "As at 24 March, we have provided financial support for 569 applications for a total of $133,245 – this extends beyond just Canterbury and is for people impacted around the country. This has included people needing bedding, clothing, petrol, other travel costs, board, electricity, attending funerals and more. "We’ve emailled about 90,000 Work and Income, Seniors and StudyLink clients in Canterbury to let them know how we can help. We’ve also sent a text to about 17,000 clients who don’t have an email address on record with us."