Two Kiwis have been awarded New Zealand's top bravery honour for lifesaving actions during the Christchurch Mosques attacks.
The New Zealand Cross for Bravery — the equivalent to the Victoria Cross — will go to Abdul Aziz and, posthumously, to Naeem Rashid.
It is the first time the Cross has been awarded since the medal's conception in 1999.
In frenzied scenes at Al Noor Mosque, Dr Rashid summoned barely believable strength in the face of Australian terrorist Brenton Tarrant.
The New Zealand Cross for Bravery was also awarded to Abdul Aziz. Source: AAP
As Tarrant murdered his fellow worshippers, Dr Rashid ran at him, knocking him to the ground, before being executed by Tarrant.
The Royal Commission into the attacks found at least seven worshippers were able to escape the mosque due to Dr Rashid's actions.
His widow, Ambreen Naeem, said her husband "in those difficult circumstances, knowing the consequences, he tackled hate".
"By doing so he took an eternal life. Today we can't see him, but he has spread his message of peace and love, all over the world," she said in a statement.
"This award is not only for him but for every peace-loving person who stands against hate."
Mr Aziz performed his heroisms at Linwood Islamic Centre, the second mosque targeted on 15 March 2019, throwing an EFTPOS machine at Tarrant to frighten him away.
Tarrant fired at least three shots at Mr Aziz, who then picked up a discarded rifle to scare Tarrant into fleeing in his car, who was subsequently caught by police.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said Mr Aziz had a complete disregard for his own wellbeing in favour of his community.
"Mr Aziz's actions deterred the gunman from re-entering the Linwood Islamic Centre and ultimately forced him to flee," she said.
"The courage demonstrated by these New Zealanders was selfless and extraordinary. They have our deepest respect and gratitude for their actions on that day."
Others have been awarded other bravery commendations which sit under the New Zealand Cross, including Liam Beale, who performed lifesaving first aid after finding himself on the scene of the murders.
Senior Constable Eric Carmody and Senior Constable Jim Manning were commended for stopping and apprehending Tarrant.
Ziyaad Shah has also been awarded the New Zealand Bravery Decoration for pretending to be dead after being shot twice during the massacre so as to protect another wounded man.
