Former New Zealand Rugby League chairman turned Bradford Bulls owner Andrew Chalmers has spoken of his shock at the terrible events that unfolded in his homeland.

The Kiwi businessman had returned to New Zealand after the Bulls' win over Batley to see family and had just had lunch in Auckland when he heard news of the Christchurch mosque shootings that killed 49 people.

Mr Chalmers told the Telegraph & Argus: "Last Sunday evening I departed to New Zealand following our win at Batley RLFC to see my wife, family and attend to various business matters, which included having lunch with Graham Lowe on Friday in Auckland.

"I could hardly believe my eyes following lunch, as reports began emerging that a terrible event was unfolding in Christchurch, a sleepy city home to over 400,000 people of many races and religions, a place I’ve visited many times, for holidays and to either play or attend rugby league games.

"It was with great sadness that the world learned that over 49 innocent people had been killed at two mosques in the city. They are fathers, mothers, grandparents, daughters and sons, partaking in their religious ceremonies, innocently practising their faith..

"Our Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, cast a lonely sad figure as she conveyed to the worlds media the events and shock at what had transpired. Speaking emotionally, she said 'I can assure you, (we) will not and cannot be shaken by this attack. We are a proud nation of more than 200 ethnicities, 160 languages and amongst that diversity we share common values and the one that we place the currency on right now and tonight is our compassion and the support for the community of those directly affected by this tragedy, Secondly, the strongest possible condemnation of the ideology for those who did this ... we utterly reject and condemn you.'

"The events in Christchurch are extraordinary and unprecedented. Undoubtedly many of those directly affected by this shooting will be migrants, and refugees who had chosen to make New Zealand their home.

"New Zealand is a land of stunning beauty, filled mostly with kind and caring people, who cherish a safe and inclusive way of life.

"The “Kiwi way” absolutely embraces diversity, cultural inclusion and pride. The people who perpetuated this extreme and unprecedented violence are not New Zealanders who embrace the Kiwi way of life. They are murders and criminals who have no place in New Zealand society.

"As a nation New Zealand must work hard to eradicate such extreme views from within our shores, and as citizens of humanity, we must work hard to promote love and caring for all the worlds diverse races and religions. We must not promote or allow divisiveness or exclusion within our society.

"As a proud Kiwi, and Chairman of the Bulls, an iconic Bradford club firmly based in the centre of a strong multi-ethnic diverse community in the United Kingdom, I recognise the importance of cultural and religious inclusion and understanding. We must do everything we can to repel extremism and violence and embrace ethnic diversity, inclusion and love and understanding for our fellow citizens.

"As I prepare to board my flight back to Manchester this evening, my thoughts and prayers are with the families and friends of all those affected by this sad terrible senseless act. As citizens of the world we must stand up against such acts of terrorism and violence and denounce the extremist views of a few."