Why did Jacinda Ardern call the Greater Christchurch mosque attacks a terrorist attack?

Jacinda Ardern labeled the 2019 Greater Christchurch mosque attacks a "terrorist attack" because they were motivated by white supremacist, anti-immigrant ideology intended to target New Zealand’s values of diversity, kindness, and compassion.1

The assailant, who killed at least 50 people, explicitly stated in a manifesto that he traveled to New Zealand to carry out the violence to highlight his opposition to immigration. By characterizing the assault as terrorism, Ardern emphasized that the country was targeted precisely because it represented a safe, inclusive refuge for those who share such values, rather than an enclave for extremism or racism. This classification underscored the government's stance against hate-fueled violence and served as a catalyst for Ardern to call for significant reforms to New Zealand's gun laws.1