Beefed up parliamentary security in the wake of a shooting in Canada's parliament is being described as the biggest security awareness to hit New Zealand since 9/11, according to a Tauranga MP.

Canada's capital Ottawa was put into lockdown by officials yesterday after Corporal Nathan Cirillo was shot dead by a gunman, who was then shot as he ran into the nearby parliament building.

Tauranga MP Simon Bridges.

Fairfax media report that New Zealand's Parliamentary Service have confirmed only two entrances will be open for MPs, staff and the general public, and they will be heavily monitored.

The main door to the Beehive, where people must pass through a security screen, and the entry to Bowen House from Lambton Quay will remain open.

Tauranga MP Simon Bridges says in his previous two terms as MP this is the first time he has seen additional security measures put in place.

And in talking with longer serving MPs, it is believed to be the first time significantly heightened security arrangements have been put in place since the World Trade Centre attacks of 9/11, says Simon.

Parliamentary Service general manager David Stevenson says the decision to close all other entry points was made to keep staff and the public safe.

'This is an interim security measure we have decided to put in place to manage the safety and security of members, staff, officials and the general public who visit Parliament on a daily basis,” says David.

He also added that the access restriction might cause inconvenience and potentially longer processing times, particularly for the public given Parliament was in a sitting week.

'If you plan on visiting Parliament over the next few weeks, please remember it may take longer than usual for you to gain access to our buildings and to factor in additional time when planning your visit,” he says.

Simon says this is the right decision as safety must be taken seriously in the possible case of similar incidents.

'They [parliamentary services] have also got the balance right, which is about ensuring more security while also making sure the public's free to come and have access to their parliament,” he says.

Clayton Mitchell.

Tauranga's NZ First List MP Clayton Mitchell, who had his maiden speech yesterday afternoon, says if anything it is a heightened awareness around security.

He says the additional precautions have certainly brought a slight edge to parliament, but nothing that will bring it to a halt.

Clayton says: 'There are a few more precautions, particularly during this time when there is a lot of school groups and family members coming through to be part of the whole induction of parliament and there are a lot of maiden speeches and a lot of people around.

'To shut it down and tighten it up to the point where people can't move I think that would be an overkill at this stage.”

The two MPs agree to it being very sombre in parliament yesterday with everyone keen to show support to their Canadian counterparts.

A notice of motion was put forward where leaders of political parties spoke of the events in Ottawa and New Zealand's thoughts as a parliament to the Canadian parliament and people of Canada.

'It was very sombre because of the thought of what had happened in Canada and what could happen here in New Zealand,” says Clayton.