'Hearts go out' to Paris attack victims

New Zealand's MPs have condemned the terrorist attacks in Paris and expressed their condolences to the people of France.

French police have conducted raids in various places across the country as they continue to investigate the attacks, which killed about 130 people.

Before question time, Acting Prime Minister Bill English asked Parliament to condemn the weekend's terror attacks.

New Zealanders were deeply shocked by the events that unfolded in Paris, he said.

"Our hearts go out to the innocent people caught up in this despicable act of terrorism, in particular we extend our deepest condolences to those who have lost loved ones as well as those who are injured, some of whom are still fighting for their lives."

Labour Party leader Andrew Little said the attacks were intended to cause fear and terror amongst all citizens of the free world.

"The urge for revenge and retribution is real and it is human, in our shock and in our anger we want to avenge, to exact an equal price, but it is when the urge for revenge is greatest that our humanity must take over, our sense of ourselves as loving, and peaceful and just people."

Green Party MP Kennedy Graham said that the world was at a moment of reckoning.

"We cannot in the heat of the moment lose sight of what we have achieved over the past century, of we hold dear, of where we wish to head.

"Meanwhile, let us pay our respect to the fallen in Paris, and also in Beirut, and Ankara, and Moscow and Boston, and Garissa, in Gaza and Jerusalem, in Sana'a and in the skies above Egypt."

New Zealand First leader Winston Peters said New Zealand should speak on the crisis with one voice.

"We want the French people to know that New Zealand is with them in their hour of grief and anguish at this despicable terrorist outrage - Vive la France."

Maori Party co-leader Te Ururoa Flavell expressed his party's deep sadness at the deaths, saying the victims were out having a regular night out in Paris when the tragedy struck.

ACT Party leader David Seymour also expressed his condolences for the families of the victims and all of the French people.

Moment of reflection in Wellington

Hundreds of people, meanwhile, have gathered to pay their respects in Wellington.

Wellington mayor Celia Wade-Brown and French Ambassador Florence Jeanblanc-Ridley spoke to the crowd at Civic Square.

The mayor said Wellington stood with Paris tonight to mourn, and the ambassador thanked the crowd for their support and compassion.