Members of the muslim community lay flowers at the memorial wall at the Botanic Gardens in Christchurch. Photo / Getty Images
Members of the muslim community lay flowers at the memorial wall at the Botanic Gardens in Christchurch. Photo / Getty Images
KEY POINTS: • 50 confirmed dead, with victims ranging in age from 2 to older than 60 • 34 injured people remain in Christchurch Hospital, 12 are critical in intensive care • Seven operating theatres in use, many patients will require multiple surgeries • Girl, 4, remains in critical condition in Auckland's Starship Hospital •PM Jacinda Ardern is seeking advice on any possible deportation of the man accused • MI5 probe gunman's links to British extremists • Australian-born accused gunman Brenton Tarrant a 'buffed up weirdo': associates • Kiwis have already donated more than $6m for the victims' families
The Prime Minister's Office confirmed that it received a copy of a "manifesto" from the alleged Christchurch mosque massacre gunman less than 10 minutes before the attacks began on Friday — along with about 70 other recipients.
Most of the other recipients were media, both domestic and international, a spokesman for Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said — although the New Zealand Herald was not listed among the recipients.
It had been framed as though events had occurred, he said.
"The mail was setting his reasons for doing it. He didn't say this is what I am about to do. There was no opportunity to stop it."
The email had gone to Ardern's generic address.
Jacinda Ardern speaks to representatives of the Muslim community at the Canterbury Refugee Centre. Photo / AP
Other politicians on the mailing list were National leader Simon Bridges and Speaker Trevor Mallard.
Ardern would not be releasing its contents, the time it was received or even what was in the subject line.
"It does not set out what he was about to do. It was written as if it had occurred, to explain what obviously was about to play out."
Ardern last night flew back to Wellington from Christchurch and is expected to make a statement today.
The alleged gunman appeared to have been a lone wolf, say police who are piecing together New Zealand's worst act of terrorism.
Brenton Harrison Tarrant, a 28-year-old Australian national, smirked and flashed a White Power sign as he appeared manacled and barefoot in court yesterday.
Brenton Tarrant in the Christchurch District Court. Photo / Mark Mitchell
He has been charged with murdering a man during Friday's busy prayers.
Police say more charges are likely.
A total of 50 people are confirmed dead. Health officials say 39 people remain in hospital, with 11 critical in intensive care. The youngest victim is 2. One child, 4, has been transferred to Starship children's hospital in Auckland.
Police allege Tarrant travelled between the Al Noor Mosque beside Hagley Park in central Christchurch and Linwood Mosque some 5km away within seven minutes.
After just 36 minutes dozens were dead and injured.
Tarrant was caught on Brougham St, dragged from a car by two police officers, and taken into custody.
Two others arrested during the chaos of the shooting aftermath have not yet been charged.
Tarrant had allegedly been living in Dunedin for two years, spending much of his time travelling overseas. He was not on any watch lists in New Zealand or Australia.
A vigil on Takapuna Beach in memory of the victims of the Christchurch Mosque shootings. Photo / Chris Loufte
There was a large police presence at his Dunedin address yesterday, with bomb experts having scoured the property.
Police said five guns were used in the attacks, with two semi-automatic weapons, two shotguns, and a lever action firearm recovered from the scenes.
Ardern said Tarrant acquired a gun licence in November 2017.
