Two people killed by New Zealand gunman hours before FIFA Women's World Cup kicks off

The Fifa Women’s World Cup begins today in New Zealand and Australia

Two people were killed and six injured as a gunman went on a shooting rampage through a construction site just hours before the start of the Fifa Women’s World Cup in the New Zealand city Auckland.

Authorities said the incident was not being treated as terrorism, after 24-year-old Matu Tangi Matua Reid, who was also killed, opened fire with a shotgun, putting the city into lockdown.

Believed to be a worker at the site, the man was known to police and had a history of family violence and mental health issues. He had been subject to a home detention order, but had an exemption to work at the site.

Participants take part in the opening ceremony of the Australia and New Zealand 2023 Women's World Cup ahead of the Group A football match between New Zealand and Norway at Eden Park in Auckland.

Gun crime is rare in New Zealand, where there are strict rules on ownership of firearms. Mr Reid did not have a license to own a firearm. Police said they would launch an investigation to determine how he managed to get hold of the weapon.

The World Cup went ahead as planned, with an opening match between New Zealand and Norway, after lockdown was lifted following the incident, which happened around 7.20am local time.

New Zealand police commissioner Andrew Coster said Mr Reid was “known for primarily family violence history”. He said there were “indications of mental health history”. However, Mr Coster said there was no evidence he was of high lethal risk and that Mr Reid’s previous offences did not suggest he posed this kind of threat.

World Cup players described witnessing the incident from nearby hotels. Italy’s team was not able to go to training on time as they were forced to stay inside their hotel rooms as the police operation unfolded.

Norway’s captain Maren Mjelde said: “Everyone probably woke up quite quickly when the helicopter hovered outside the hotel window and a large number of emergency vehicles arrived. At first we didn’t know what was going on, but eventually there were updates on TV and the local media.

“We felt safe the whole time. Fifa has a good security system at the hotel, and we have our own security officer in the squad. Everyone seems calm and we are preparing as normal for the game tonight. Then we may have to adapt if there are any instructions from the authorities.”

Lynn Williams, from the US women’s football team, said: “Unfortunately, in the US, it feels like we’ve dealt with this far too many times.”

Prime minister Chris Hipkins addressed the victim's families in a televised speech. He said: "The whole nation is mourning with you. The victims went to work this morning as they do every morning, but they won't be coming home tonight.

"I've got confidence that they will investigate fully what happened here and they will be able to provide answers to questions we have in time.”

Mr Hipkins added: “Clearly, with the Fifa World Cup kicking off this evening, there are a lot of eyes on Auckland. New Zealanders are welcoming people. We are excited about hosting the Fifa World Cup … there is no ongoing risk here. We will have a very active police presence to provide that reassurance.”