The Prime Minister is confident in security experts' ability to keep the thousands of fans flocking to the British and Irish Lions tour safe, following the attack in Manchester.
Prime Minister Bill English speaks to media following the attack in Manchester. Photo: RNZ / Chris Bramwell
A man, thought to be 22-year-old Salman Abedi, killed 22 people and injured more than 120 when he blew himself up after an Ariana Grande concert at Manchester Arena in the UK just after 10.30pm local time on Monday.
Security was expected to be tightened at large entertainment events in the United Kingdom in future, with some sports teams already insisting on it.
With the upcoming Lions series expected to bring thousands of people into the country, New Zealand's police force said it was reviewing its security procedures around the series.
Superintendent Sandra Manderson, who is responsible for security, said while the threat of a terrorist attack on New Zealand soil was low-level, the police were staying vigilant.
"We'll continue to review, and make sure that we've got everything in place," she said.
"Even though we have a low threat level here, we are not complacent, and we're very focused around planning security for these events."
Prime Minister Bill English said New Zealand had held successful large-scale events in the recent past and he expected security teams could handle the influx.
"We have considerable experience here with large events - we've had the rugby and cricket world cups ... so we've got a team of people that are pretty experienced at it."
"I'm sure it'll be taking into account these events, if only because many of those fans that are coming from the UK, so we want to be able to provide the reassurance that the security arrangements are sensible, and people can be safe."
Mr English signed a condolence book at the British Embassy in Wellington this afternoon.
