The Human Rights Foundation is calling for long term changes in our social attitudes following the Christchurch terror attacks.

This comes after two people were arrested for posting hateful messages or comments online.

An 18-year old man's already been charged with inciting extreme violence, and a Wairarapa woman was arrested on suspicion of inciting racial disharmony after a hateful message was posted to her Facebook page in response to the Christchurch shootings.

Human Rights Foundation chair Peter Hosking told Mike Hosking the Islamic community has faced severe hatred in the past and we must continue to stop the spread of it.

"The Islamic community has been receiving this for many years, through public comments and on social media. They would also say disproportionate treatment by the authorities."

When asked about the arrest of the Wairarapa woman who posted hateful messages on her Facebook page, Peter Hosking said the charge was a very rare ruling which is rarely used.

"It's not possible to control the behaviour of every New Zealander. The police have used a rarely used provision in the human rights act to charge a woman with racial disharmony. 

"This isn't used very often at all, but in the current context after the atrocity in Christchurch the police are going to act quickly when comments like these are made."