New Zealand was the last stop on her speaking tour down under.

Blind Low Vision NZ says some South Auckland areas are now off-limits for guide dogs.

The material involving infants and animals was among the worst investigators have seen.

A man has been prosecuted for an unconsented cabana on his Pāpāmoa beachfront property.

Fred Rogers once had some powerful words for anyone struggling to make sense of a horrible tragedy: "Look for the helpers".

"When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, 'Look for the helpers'," the US entertainer, better known as Mister Rogers, said.

"You will always find people who are helping."

This advice is more important than ever in the wake of the horror mass shooting in Bondi, after 15 innocent people were gunned down at the beach.

READ MORE: Bondi hero would 'do it again' despite being 'riddled with bullets'

The true spirit of Australian matehood and bravery was on full display this week.

As grief-stricken family members of the victims recount their loved ones' last moments and seemingly endless new reports come streaming in, there is some light among the darkness.

Countless Australians stepped up to help when they were most needed.

From heroic bystanders who stared evil in the eye, brave first responders and lifeguards who ran straight into gunfire, and blood donors who offered life-saving donations in droves – these helpers have made an immeasurable impact.

LIVE UPDATES: Australia mourns as Bondi victims fight for life; Philippines trip by alleged shooters probed

The brave bystanders

When a mass casualty event takes place in Australia, it is not unusual to hear or see everyday heroes who risk their lives to help – often without a second thought.

Ahmed El Ahmed, who is recovering in hospital right now after being shot, was the first person to be identified among the hero helpers.

The Sydney father-of-two, 44, crept up on one of the shooters, pounced on him and eventually wrangled the gun from his hands.

Ahmed then turned the weapon on the gunman but never fired, and shortly after he was injured in subsequent gunfire.

Ahmed has undergone surgery at St George Hospital as his bravery is lauded around the world.

READ MORE: How you can donate blood in the wake of the Bondi terror attack

"He doesn't regret what he did. He said he'd do it again. But the pain has started to take a toll on him," Ahmed's immigration lawyer Sam Issa told the Sydney Morning Herald after visiting the hero yesterday.

"He's not well at all. He's riddled with bullets. Our hero is struggling at the moment."

More than $1.9 million had already been donated for Ahmed via a crowdfunding site set up for the hero.

"I've got no doubt that there are many, many people alive tonight as a result of his bravery," said NSW Premier Chris Minns.

New footage also emerged today of two mystery bystanders fighting with one of the alleged shooters.

The two people, who are yet to be named, were shot dead in the confrontation on Sunday evening as they grappled with one of the shooters, believed to be 50-year-old Sajid Akram.

In the footage, the man in the purple shirt can be seen wrestling the alleged shooter to the ground, disarming him in the process.

He then wields the man's gun like a bat in an effort to stop the attack.

Later footage, which 9news.com.au has chosen not to publish, shows the man in the purple shirt fatally shot in the confrontation.

Reuven Morrison also died trying to save others.

The 62-year-old father was shot and killed as he tried to stop one of the gunmen with a brick.

His daughter Sheina Gutnick said her father died a hero as he assisted Ahmed in confronting the shooter.

"He was screaming at the terrorist and protecting the community," Gutnick told CBS.

READ MORE: CCTV captures dad and son alleged shooters heading for Bondi

Witnesses who protected each other

Jessica Rozen had been attending the Chaunkah by the Sea event when the shots rang out.

She was looking for her own toddler son when she saw another little girl screaming in fear.

In footage shared with Guardian Australia, Rozen lay on top of her, shielding the child until the gunfire subsided.

"We're going to be nice and safe and nobody is going to hurt us, OK?" Rozen can be heard saying.

Rozen's son was also protected by his grandmother during the shooting.

"She lay on top of him," Rozen told the outlet.

"A group of men gathered all the kids and women from the playground and walked them up to the surf club.

"I don't know who they are, but I am grateful beyond measure."

Rozen also said on LinkedIn that she was OK.

"My brother-in-law was injured, I have some minor cuts and bruises but am otherwise unharmed," she said.

"I have grown up here. I love this place. I wish only for peace and love. Thank you so much for everyone who came to help."

Another woman, Julia, said her son was aided by a couple who drove him to safety after he was shot in the attack

"They saw he was bleeding so they put him in their car and drove him up the road, where they met my husband who was on his way down to Bondi to get my son and take him to hospital," Julia said.

Julia is still trying to track down the strangers who helped.

Hero lifeguards who helped first responders

Bondi Beach's famous lifeguards sprang into action the moment the shooting began.

Lifeguard Jackson Doolan has been hailed an Australian hero for running towards danger as the gunmen killed innocent people who were enjoying an evening at the Chanukah by the Sea event.

Bondi local Alexandra Ching filmed Doolan as he ran, barefoot and carrying a medical bag, down Bondi Road from Tamarama.

Multiple members of the lifeguard team also stepped up to help the wounded.

One lifeguard even paddled into the water to help a struggling swimmer amid the chaos.

Surf Lifesaving NSW chief executive Steve Pearce earlier praised his team's bravery and said he is incredibly proud of them.

"It was amazing, we got calls from the club as it was happening – lifesavers here in Bondi ran straight out to get children out of the playground, as they were under fire, other lifesavers ran out to perform CPR on people who had been shot," he said.

Paramedics and police witnessing unspeakable horror

While most people at the beach were fleeing in the opposite direction, police officers, paramedics and first responders walked straight into the gunfire.

It is their job to risk their lives to help people in danger, but their bravery has been commended and praised widely in the aftermath.

Police officers from around Sydney responded "without hesitation" when the shooting began, NSW Police Minister Yasmin Catley said.

"They just heard the event, put their uniform on, got in their car, and drove to Bondi police station because they knew they would be needed," she said.

"We had them not just from locals, as far as Newcastle, Sutherland, western Sydney… You name it."

Health Minister Ryan Park said frontline paramedics responded swiftly and professionally when they treated the dozens of wounded at Bondi Beach.

More than 100 paramedics responded to the shooting, ensuring no stone was left unturned and no injured person was left untreated.

"They went into an area that's called a 'hot zone', meaning a live offender was possibly still in their midst, and they did remarkable work," Park said.

Nurses, doctors and hospital staff treating the wounded

More than 40 people were injured in the shooting, some needing urgent surgery.

Hospitals around Sydney suddenly looked like war zones, with a triage centre needing to be set up outside one emergency room after it became too crowded.

Doctors, nurses, surgeons and frontline medical staff had a long night and long days ahead as the wounded came pouring in.

Some worked overnight and incredibly long hours to keep patients alive.

"Now our clinicians and our nurses are doing incredible work at our state's hospitals, looking after those 38 people who are still in hospital and remain in various conditions," Park added.

Australians who gave life-saving donations

In the immediate aftermath of the shooting, Lifeblood Australia issued an urgent call-out for donations.

Australians arrived at their local donor centres in the thousands, with lines snaking out the door and up the block.

For those who felt powerless and helpless and wanted to do something, this offered a crucial purpose.

As they say, many hands make light work.

And people were so eager and ready to donate that Lifeblood's website temporarily crashed.

NSW Premier Chris Minns said blood donations are still needed.

"If you haven't got an appointment, if you can't get in immediately, we require your blood," Minns said.

"To put this in perspective, for somebody in trauma, they may need 100 individual donations to save their life."

READ MORE: Families of injured police grateful to all who 'acted with courage' as 25 remain in hospital

The growing floral tributes

Bondi Beach has become a permanent vigil and growing floral tribute to the 15 innocent lives lost on Sunday, with countless bouquets laid at the Bondi Pavilion.

Sydneysiders from around the city, politicians and grieving loved ones have come to pay their respects and to mourn, cry, pray and sing with each other.

The Lemon Tree Grocer in Bondi offered free bunches of flowers to mourners and said in a sign that the owners "honour the good in our community and condemn all hatred".

Notes of hope and support have also been left at the scene.

If you have been impacted by the terror attack in Bondi there is support available.

To contact Lifeline Australia, call 13 11 14 or text 0477 13 11 14.

For people under 25 years old, you can contact Kids Helpline at 1800 55 1800.

Both of these are available on a 24/7 basis.

If you wish to donate blood, you can find your nearest donor centre here.

Grief educator Fergus Keith says waves of sorrow can resurface without warning.

Police say the Comancheros ring moved at least 30kg of drugs north and south.

The severe thunderstorm warning issued for the Ashburton area has now been lifted.

The Taxpayers’ Union recently ran an anti-Willis campaign with branded fudge.

Sydney's festive celebrations are among the most famous in the world.

From the crowds of backpackers at Bondi Beach to the iconic harbour fireworks, it's a popular time of year for both locals and tourists to enjoy the summer.

But despite no escalation in any terror warnings, the next couple of weeks are shrouded in uncertainty after the terror attack that killed 15 innocent people.

LIVE UPDATES: Israeli ambassador 'torn apart' by the tragic events

READ MORE: 'For now, they've won': Jewish leader's sobering remarks after shooting

With Christmas just a week away, Sydneysiders as well as the tourists who flock to the nation to see events like the NYE celebrations are likely nervous and unsure.

While there's no official Christmas Day event at Bondi Beach, revellers, including backpackers, usually flock to the sand as well as to neighbouring Bronte.

But now, it's a crime scene and site of mourning.

READ MORE: How the Bondi Beach terror attack unfolded

Rows of belongings remain scattered as people ran for their lives lay along the beachfront.

The mass of growing flowers and candles sit in front of the landmark, Bondi Pavilion.

And the sand remains largely deserted.

READ MORE: How current Australian gun laws covering rifles and shotguns work

READ MORE: Matilda, 10, was enjoying Hanukkah celebrations when she was fatally shot in front of her sister

New Year's Eve events planned for Bondi Beach for the first time in 10 years are due to be held in just over two weeks.

A free Waverley Council family event called Locals Lawn, promises "roaming entertainment, food trucks and an early fireworks display" is scheduled

The elrow Bondi Beach XXL, a music festival for 15,000 people arranged by Fuzzy plans to bring DJs to the beachside.

9News has contacted both organisers to see if they will go ahead.

READ MORE: The sick trick played on the world hours after Bondi shooting

Meanwhile, Sydney New Year's Eve celebration is one of the biggest in the world and something planned months ahead.

The City of Sydney says the fireworks are seen by a billion people across the world, with a million packing the harbour.

Amid the bushfires of 2019 the event went ahead to some criticism.

But almost $1 million was raised for bush communities struggling with bushfires and drought on the night.

9News has contacted City of Sydney, but it seems unlikely they will be cancelled.

READ MORE: Families of injured police grateful to all who 'acted with courage' as 25 remain in hospital

As for other events in Sydney, Carols in the Domain, a televised event held in the CBD park, has indicated it will proceed this Saturday.

"Carols will be a place where we can slowly start healing," organisers said on Facebook.

Elsewhere in Australia, the Ashes tour, which is in Adelaide, will continue with players wearing black armbands and extra security.

It's due to arrive in Sydney in the first week of January.

Australian travel warnings remain unchanged

While Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his leaders have accused Prime Minister Anthony Albanese of failing to stop anti semitism he hasn't changed any travel warnings.

Israel's official advice lists Australia as 'potential threat' the second level out of four.

Angloa, Austria and Canada sit at the same level.

The warning was raised two years ago after the October 7 attacks.

"The threat level for many countries in Western Europe (including the UK, France and Germany), South America (including Brazil and Argentina), as well as Australia and Russia, has been raised to level 2, with the recommendation to exercise increased caution," The National Security Council said.

Israel issued fresh warnings after a synagogue attack in 2024.

The UK has added a note on its travel advice page for Australia after the attack, but has not raised alert levels.

"Emergency services advise people to avoid the area. Police investigations are underway. You should follow the local authorities' advice," it says.

New Zealand, India, USA, also major sources of visitors, have not altered advice.