Mosque inquest: Victims' families say 'full picture' of attacks gained

The seven-week long mosque attack inquest has left families and survivors with a lot of new information to digest.

It has confirmed change is needed on the country's front line but also created a new hero amongst the brave few who put their lives on the line on March 15, 2019.

For Aya Al Umari, the official recognition of her brother Hussein's brave actions that day before he was killed means everything. Aya was permitted to view CCTV footage from inside Al Noor Mosque, which shows her big brother running towards danger, instead of saving himself.

"Going towards the terrorist's direction, yelling at him, angrily gesticulating at him and that just made me so proud. By him saving a life equates to saving humanity, even if it was just one life. I was very proud. The way I would describe it, he was a lion."

Deputy chief coroner Brigitte Windley has reserved her decision. Part of her findings will assess if more lives could have been saved if the Parliamentary Services warning call that named Linwood Mosque as a target was acted on immediately.

Abdul Aziz, who confronted the killer during the second attack said: "When I found out the call [was] eight minutes before the shooting started, they could have done a lot more to save our people in Linwood, definitely."

Now he helps protect Al Noor Mosque, providing security during Friday Prayers to ensure his brothers and sisters remain safe. "I hope it never happens again anywhere in the world, especially in New Zealand. We love this place."

Amongst the many families and survivors who were at court every day was Sara Qasem. Her father was killed in Al Noor Mosque.

"We've certainly waited a long time to know the full picture. Is the full picture painful? Absolutely, but we need to know so we can look forward and see what we can change in the future."

She finds talk of dissolving gun reforms and hate speech law unsettling. "I don't make it a habit to speak on behalf of my community but when it comes to this I'm confident we completely oppose this action. It would be a grave mistake to do so especially at this time."

First responders have accepted change is needed. Al Noor Mosque imam and survivor of the attack Gamal Fouda said: "We don't want to blame anyone. The whole thing is about better training and upskilling the government agencies to be able to serve the community better."

Hussein Al Umari will now be recognised for his heroism, with police nominating him for a bravery award. "That was such an immense feeling of relief when his bravery story came out. I feel very proud," his sister said.

She hopes improving the country's emergency response to mass casualty events in the future will help spare others like him.