Building a community of people with common values is the important thing for Pascale Hyboug-Peron after the shocking terrorist attack in her native country of France.

It's been a hard 24 hours for Pascale as she comes to grips with the terrible acts happening in Paris where many of her family and friends live.

Pascale Hyboug-Peron was concerned for her family during terrorist attacks. Photo: Cameron Avery.

She says at first she was in 'denial” of what was taking place but then pressed on with her work as best she could.

The lead organiser at today's Start-Up Weekend in Tauranga where people look to make a better place in their community, she has had to watch in horror as at least 129 people were killed in a co-ordinated terror attack. Reports say hundreds more are wounded and many of them seriously injured.

Pascale says it was only through technology created by events like Start-Up Weekend, she was able to find out her family and friends were okay. Born in Granoble (Southeast of France) the businesswoman says she has many family and friends currently living in Paris.

'I have family and close friends in Paris and thankfully for all we have available at our finger tips these days. Thanks to the technology that entrepreneurs [have created]. As soon as the news of the terrible events came forth. It was easy to know that everyone was safe.”

She says while many at the event were in shock by what was happening in Paris, the groups continued to be creative and tried to soldier on with trying to make a better world for everyone.

'For me [the attack] was pressing upon that what we are doing here, being a community of people who have common values around how we approach business in 2015, is even more urgent. That we have a sense of unity on how we move things forward. It's about building communities so we can avoid this from happening again.”

Isis has claimed responsibility for the terror attacks and warned that more will follow.

A statement released by the extremist group says it masterminded the horrifying attacks on the French capital in revenge for "insulting" the prophet Muhammad.

The terror group singled out France for its involvement in the bombing campaign against Isis territory in Iraq and Syria and says it murdered French citizens because the nation 'boasted' about its military contribution.

French President Francois Hollande also says Isis were behind the attacks, which he called "an act of war".

The statement, released as horror continued to mount at the slew of killings, says the bombing attack on the Stade de France was aimed specifically at Hollande.

It says an attack at the Bataclan Theatre, during a rock concert, was aimed at "idolaters" who were "together in a party of perversity" and says the French are Isis' "principal targets".

The statement, in French and Arabic, condemned France, saying they are at risk "as long as they dare to insult our Prophet, and as long as they boast about their war against Islam in France and their strikes against Muslims in the lands of the Caliphate with their jets, which were of no avail to them in the filthy streets and alleys of Paris".

Explaining its targets, the statement says: "Eight brothers equipped with explosive belts and assault rifles attacked precisely chosen targets in the centre of the capital of France.

"These targets included the Stade de France stadium during a soccer match - between the teams of Germany and France, both of which are crusader nations - attended by the imbecile of France (Francois Hollande).

"The targets included the Bataclan theatre for exhibitions, where hundreds of idolaters gathered for a concert of prostitution and vice. There were also simultaneous attacks in the tenth, eleventh and eighteenth districts, and elsewhere. Paris was thereby shaken beneath the crusaders' feet, who were constricted by its streets."

Isis claimed 200 people died in the attacks, though official estimates have so far given a lower total.

The claim - which appeared to be authentic - came after Hollande declared the attacks "an act of war" and promised to respond.