New Zealand eliminated COVID-19 last year and remained largely virus-free until an outbreak of the highly infectious Delta variant in August led to a nationwide lockdown
The attacker, a Sri Lankan national who had been in New Zealand for 10 years, was inspired by the Islamic State militant group and was being monitored constantly, says prime minister Ardern
Ardern said she believed even the Delta strain could again be stamped out in the community and health experts were advising her to stick with the elimination approach