Kind words and good deeds cannot bring back the 50 victims who lost their lives nor instantly heal the physical and psychological wounds that have scarred so many people but they are the best tools we have. Thankfully there have been kind words and good deeds aplenty this week.

The news coverage, which a week on, continues non-stop is so over-whelming that even as a total news junkie I have had to force myself to take breaks away from digital devices to create space to reflect on my own reactions and thoughts.

As a communications professional who has experienced a number of crises and disasters, I tip my hat to media professionals and communications operatives in all the key response agencies and in Parliament. The response has been exemplary.

It’s as if all the lessons from natural and other disasters in recent years have been fully taken on board. Information has been made available in as close to real time as possible and officials and politicians have worked quickly and seamlessly to answer all the questions hurled at them in as definite a way and in plain English (and sign language!).

Unfortunately the terrorist had also learned about the power of real time broadcasting as a key component of his vile toolkit.

A big question still to be resolved is whether algorithms for the big social media platforms can be tasked with stopping the publication of objectionable material. If so how low should the censorship point be set? History shows us that it’s a fine line between protecting society and keeping the populous in the dark.

Legislators in our sovereign nation are acting with lightning speed on firearms law changes.

Can the leaders of internet giants apply similar attention, judgement and action? Time will tell but I’m not holding my breath. If the pleadings of New Zealand to the tech overlords succeed in sensible prevention and better take down regimes for objectionable material the impact will be right up there with the suffrage, welfare and nuclear reforms our country is known for.