This is a developing and evolving story. All efforts are made to keep information updated, however the situation is rapidly changing.
The main perpetrator of the terrorist attack at two Christchurch mosques yesterday has appeared in court this morning, charged with murder.
Brenton Harrison Tarrant, 28, who has been living in Dunedin, currently faces only one murder charge, but police say more charges are likely.
Tarrant, an Australian citizen, appeared in Christchurch District Court and has been remanded in custody without plea until April 5 at 9:15am.
The appearance was closed to the public due to security concerns, but media were still permitted to attend.
Stuff reporters described Tarrant as a short, broad-shouldered, and young looking man.
He was wearing a tunic and was handcuffed. He was looking around particularly at the media present and had a bruise above his upper lip.
He was silent throughout the proceedings and did not seem distressed, Stuff reported.
Forty-nine people had lost their lives in the shootings at the Masjid Al Noor on Deans Avenue and the Linwood Masjid on Linwood Avenue said Police Commissioner Mike Bush on Friday.
Forty-one people had died at the Deans Avenue mosque, while seven had died at Linwood and one in hospital.
Bush said there is a heightened police presence around the country, including at mosques and community events.
"We do need members of the public to remain vigilant, however, and to report anything suspicious to us by calling 111 immediately.
"This attack has been an enormous shock for all New Zealanders, and I am aware that there is a real sense of fear and concern for personal safety, particularly among our Muslim communities.
"I want to reassure all New Zealanders that we are doing absolutely everything in our power to respond to this attack, and deploying all available resources in communities across New Zealand," he said.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern confirmed no more victims had died overnight, although a five-year-old girl had been flown to Auckland's Starship Hospital in a critical condition. This is the only transfer that has occurred and Christchurch Hospital staff were coping well treating the over 40 victims injured.
Ardern said gun laws will change in light of the attacks.
She said Tarrant was in possession of a gun licence, obtained in November 2017. Five guns were used in the attack including two semi-automatic weapons and two shotguns.
A lever action firearm was also found.
Ardern said more work will be done to trace the guns but made one thing clear: "Our gun laws will change."
"There have been attempts to change our laws in 2005, 2012 and after an inquiry in 2017. Now is the time for change," she said.
In addition to Tarrant, two other people are currently in custody. All have no criminal records and were not on any watchlists, said Ardern.
The fourth person arrested was a member of the public with a firearm in the area who wished to assist police. He has since been released.
Ardern has asked the Officials Committee for Domestic and External Security Coordination (ODESC) to report to Cabinet on Monday with details of how Tarrant got into the country and obtained the guns. She is also seeking answers from intelligence agencies about whether any social media posts should have been picked up on and were not.
"Today as the country grieves we are seeking answers.
"Our duty is to keep everyone here safe. We have failed here and questions will be asked," she said.
Referring to Tarrant, Ardern said: "This individual has travelled around the world, with sporadic periods of time present in New Zealand, they were not a resident of Christchurch, they were currently based in Dunedin."
Ardern said 45 additional police officers were flown to Christchurch yesterday, with a further 80 staff arriving today.
The additional police staffing includes public safety teams, detectives, tactical specialists and intelligence support, she said.
Bush, who has flown to Christchurch, said a heavy police presence will continue in Christchurch.
"Dozens of officers continue to be deployed into the region today, and Police's Eagle helicopter has flown to Christchurch to assist those on the ground," he said.
"Police and the wider government will be working with leaders and members of the Islamic community to provide assistance, reassurance and support.
"Deputy Commissioner of Māori and Ethnic Services Wally Haumaha has travelled to Christchurch alongside 15 ethnic liaison officers to support the community.
"These specialists will work alongside local staff to support the families and help repatriate them with their loved ones in a way that is consistent with Muslim beliefs while taking into account these circumstances and obligations to the coroner."
Ardern has flown to Christchurch on a defence force aircraft. She has been accompanied by other political leaders including the Leader of the Opposition and National Party, Simon Bridges.
MURDERER'S BACKGROUND BEING PIECED TOGETHER
The man accused of New Zealand's worst terror attack once described himself online as "just an ordinary white man".
Brenton Harrison Tarrant was raised in Grafton, Australia, north of Sydney, which is known for its Jacaranda Festival.
Security intelligence officers are piecing together a picture of Tarrant's background that includes travelling the world and sporadically spending time in Dunedin.
Ardern said a picture of Tarrant's background was being gathered by the Officials Committee for Domestic and External Security Coordination (ODESC) and said she had asked them to brief Cabinet on Monday.
Tarrant didn't hide his enthusiasm for guns and practised shooting at a South Otago rifle club, about 50km south of Dunedin.
A spokesman for the Bruce Rifle Club, near Milton, confirmed Tarrant was a club member.
"We are assisting [police] with their investigation," the man said.
"He seemed a reasonably normal sort of dude."
Tarrant was born in Australia and attended Grafton High School in New South Wales where he obtained qualifications in fitness, according to the Sydney Morning Herald.
He described himself online as "just a (sic) ordinary white man, 28 years old. Born in Australia to a working class, low-income family".
Tarrant also said he barely made it through school and didn't go to university as nothing interested him.
He later worked as a personal trainer.
Tracey Gray, the owner of Big River Gym in Grafton, said the alleged shooter worked at the gym about five or six years ago.
"He started coming to my facility as a boy that was finishing school and showed a lot of dedication to his own training. Then he went and did his personal training qualifications."
Gray understood Tarrant was from Grafton, and his mother possibly still lives there. She believes Tarrant's father died of an asbestos-related illness and worked for the James Hardie group.
She described him as "dedicated to his own training" but said she did not know him outside of work.
"He's worked in the fitness industry where it's about helping people. It's an inclusive industry, not an exclusive industry. We take all shapes and sizes, all different people..."
"He left here to go travelling and as far as I knew he was travelling to sort of see as much of the world as possible."
Last year, Tarrant posted a message on Facebook, referring to a trip to Pakistan, according to the Sydney Morning Herald.
"...[A]n incredible place filled with the most earnest, kind hearted and hospitable people in the world."
Gray said she was shocked to have come into contact with someone accused of carrying out such a disturbing attack.
"...I have family in Christchurch and I can't get hold of them," she said.
BOMB SQUAD IN DUNEDIN STREET
A police bomb squad entered a Dunedin street this morning, with a bomb robot.
A large police presence including the Armed Offenders Squad, armed police, a police dog unit and detectives were on Sommerville Street in the Dunedin suburb of Anderson's Bay.
A Fire and Emergency New Zealand Hazmat command centre moved into the area about 8:30am today.
Police confirmed a property on Sommerville Street was a "property of interest" in relation to the Christchurch terror attacks. It's believed the main perpetrator, Brenton Harrison Tarrant, a 28-year-old Australian man, was living at the address, where a car used in the attacks was also registered to.
The car was bought at a Dunedin car yard.
Homes near the property were evacuated on Friday night, the street was cordoned and with residents given no timeframe as to when they can return.
An Otago Daily Times reporter at the scene said by 11:30am the cordon on the street, which had been in place overnight, had been lifted but residents were still not allowed to return to their homes.
A person who worked at South Dunedin gym Tarrant frequented said he had been a member since October 2017. She had never heard of him raising his views about muslims.
The attack was a massive shock to members of the gym.
"It's just so crazy. You wouldn't expect something like this."
She said she talked to him reasonably regularly as part of her job.
Tarrant liked to talk about his travels and was often overseas, including a recent trip over the Christmas break.
He had a strange accent, which she described as sounding like an upper-class English accent, with an Australian twang.
A resident of Somerville Street said he was still unable to return to his property, but he had been told a police bomb squad was in town and residents may be able to return after midday.
Another resident, who did not want to be named, said he lived a few houses away from Tarrant and often saw him at a South Dunedin gym.
The resident said Tarrant kept to himself and when they did talk he said it was only briefly.
On Friday night Armed Offenders Squad members also entered Dunedin's Al Huda Mosque, in the student quarter just before 5pm.
The mosque, since ordered to close by police, is understood to have been a place of interest for Tarrant.
Meanwhile, the University of Otago confirmed Saturday's street parade to mark its 150th anniversary has been postponed.
Dunedin mayor David Cull said he was "deeply shocked at the horrific events in Christchurch".
"My thoughts are very much with the Muslim community in Christchurch, Dunedin and throughout New Zealand."
He said the city had welcomed many Syrian families – former refugees – and "many of these people have come to Dunedin and other parts of New Zealand for sanctuary from atrocities in their countries of origin".
Source: Stuff and Otago Daily Times
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