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Prime Minister Christopher Luxon will hold a post-Cabinet press conference this afternoon, where he is set to address the tragic mass shooting in Sydney.

At least 15 innocent people have died, including a 10-year-old child, and around 40 people are in hospital after two gunmen opened fire at the Jewish Hanukkah festival, Chanukah by the Sea, in the suburb of Bondi last night.

More than 1000 people were believed to have attended the event, which marks the first night of Chanukah.

Luxon is set to address the attack at around 2.40pm. The press conference will be live-streamed from the top of this article.

The ages of those who have died range from 10 to 87. Two police officers are among those injured and being treated across hospitals in Sydney.

Reports of horror and heroism have since emerged, including footage of a brave civilian who tackled and disarmed one of the Bondi gunmen.

In other media reports, people have described being shot in the back, scrambling to find their children and seeing “bodies all over the floor”.

Meanwhile, in New Zealand armed police are standing guard at Jewish sites around the country.

Two officers could be seen holding rifles outside the Holocaust Centre of New Zealand in Wellington this morning. Meanwhile in Auckland, about five armed police could be seen outside Kadimah School in Remuera.

Armed police were standing guard outside Wellington's Holocaust Centre of New Zealand on Monday 15 December, 2025, following a terrorist attack at Bondi Beach. Photo / Ethan Manera

Acting Deputy Commissioner Tusha Penny said NZ Police’s “sincere and heartfelt condolences” went out to the families of the victims.

“This week is an important week for the Jewish faith, and we are working directly with the Jewish Council to ensure everybody can celebrate safely,” Penny said.

“The public can expect to see an increased visible police presence nationally, and for reassurance, additional patrols have been enacted at significant sites of Jewish worship around New Zealand.”

In a statement earlier this morning, Luxon said he was shocked by the distressing scenes in Bondi, “a place that Kiwis visit every day”.

“Australia and New Zealand are closer than friends, we’re family. My thoughts, and the thoughts of all New Zealanders, are with those affected.”

Australian Prime Minister Albanese described the attack as an act of “evil anti-Semitism”. The mass shooting has been deemed an act of terrorism.

“Australians have had their lives cruelly stolen.”

Julia Gabel is a Wellington-based political reporter. She joined the Herald in 2020 and has most recently focused on data journalism.