Prince William is set to visit the survivors of the Christchurch mosque shootings and the city's Muslim community next week, it has been announced.

The Duke of Cambridge will attend Anzac services next Thursday in Auckland before flying to the terror-struck South Island town, New Zealand's government has confirmed.

During a two-day visit to the country, he'll meet with families, first responders and members of the community to pay tribute after the March 15 shootings that killed 50.

“The Duke has a close connection with New Zealand and in particular Christchurch," Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said in a statement.

"His visit provides the opportunity to pay tribute to those affected by the mosque terrorist attacks and show support to the local and national community.

“We welcome this visit by His Royal Highness and know it will bring comfort to those affected.”

Prince William visited Christchurch following the deadly 2011 earthquake and again with wife Kate in 2014.
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Security is reported to have been a top priority for those organising his trip next week, with New Zealand's terror threat level only downgraded from high to medium on Wednesday.

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has jumped to her highest popularity levels ever after widespread praise for her handling of the Christchurch mosque shootings.

In the first major poll taken since the March 15 terror attack, Ardern's rating as preferred prime minister has risen to 51 per cent of surveyed New Zealand voters.

Her nearest rival, opposition and National Party leader Simon Bridges, was at 5 per cent in the 1 News Colmar Brunton poll - one of the country's two major media-run polls - released on Monday.

In February, the same survey had Ardern at 44 per cent, compared to Bridges on 6 per cent.

Meanwhile, her Labour Party was at 48 per cent, compared to 45 per cent two months ago, and National on 40 per cent.

The 38-year-old prime minister received significant praise both across New Zealand's domestic political spectrum and internationally for her compassionate leadership style after the attack left 50 dead.

Her government has since also banned a wide-range of semi-automatic weapons, with swiftly passed legislation almost unanimously supported by Kiwi lawmakers.
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The poll was conducted between April 6 and April 10, surveying 1009 voters. It has a margin of error of 3.1 per cent at a 95 per cent confidence level.

Ma'a Nonu's bid for a Rugby World Cup return appears to be over after the veteran centre was not selected in an extended All Blacks squad.

Coach Steve Hansen has unveiled 41 players to attend a "foundation day" in Wellington next week in the first significant step towards winning the Webb Ellis Cup for a third-straight time.

There are few notable omissions aside from Nonu, whose last Test was the triumphant 2015 World Cup final.

The 36-year-old played for French club Toulon before returning to Super Rugby with the Blues, where his performances had been solid until last week's virtuoso performance against the NSW Waratahs.

However, it hasn't been enough to convince Hansen, who has gone largely with the players who have performed for him over the past two seasons.

The only uncapped player is in-form Blues No.8 Akira Ioane, who played a mid-week match for the All Blacks in 2017.
Outside back George Bridge and former Melbourne Rebels prop Tyrel Lomax have earned one Test cap each, off the bench against Japan last year when a virtual second XV played.

Hansen has included a number of injured players, including flankers Sam Cane and Liam Squire, who are yet to play this year.

Others currently sidelined with significant injuries are winger Waisake Naholo, inside centre Sonny Bill Williams and halfback Aaron Smith.

A number of in-form players from the first half of the Super Rugby season have been bypassed.

They include David Havili, Braydon Ennor, Will Jordan and Jordan Taufua from the competition-leading Crusaders and Blues flankers Tom Robinson and Dalton Papali'i.

All Blacks training squad:
Backs: Ben Smith, Jordie Barrett, George Bridge, Waisake Naholo, Rieko Ioane, Jack Goodhue, Anton Lienert-Brown, Ryan Crotty, Sonny Bill Williams, Ngani Laumape, Beauden Barrett, Richie Mo'unga, Damian McKenzie, Aaron Smith, TJ Perenara, Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi. Forwards: Kieran Read, Akira Ioane, Luke Whitelock, Sam Cane, Ardie Savea, Matt Todd, Liam Squire. Shannon Frizell, Vaea Fifita, Jackson Hemopo, Sam Whitelock, Brodie Retallick, Scott Barrett, Patrick Tuipulotu, Owen Franks, Nepo Laulala, Tyrel Lomax, Ofa Tu'ungafasi, Joe Moody, Karl Tu'inukuafe, Angus Ta'avao, Dane Coles, Codie Taylor, Nathan Harris, Liam Coltman.