Christchurch massacre: accused killer Brenton Tarrant

The man charged over the NZ attacks is in total lockdown, unable to see the global media coverage of the massacre.

Brenton Tarrant during his court appearance over the weekend. Picture: AFP

Brenton Tarrant, the 28-year-old Australian man charged with the Christchurch terror attacks, is being held in strict security with no access to media, Stuff reports.

He has been denied access to the internet, TV, newspapers and radio, meaning he has no access to the coverage his alleged crimes have engendered.

With suggestions he intends to represent himself in court, fears have grown the white supremacist could use his trial to espouse extremist views. In an impassioned speech to parliament on Tuesday, Ms Ardern said she would not be using the gunman’s name, in a bid to deny him notoriety.

“He is a terrorist. He is a criminal. He is an extremist. But he will, when I speak, be nameless,” she said.

“And to others I implore you: speak the names of those who were lost, rather than name of the man who took them.”

As her government prepares to announce new firearms laws in coming days, ministers have confirmed they are looking to Australia, which launched a successful gun buyback following the Port Arthur massacre 33 years ago.

With a possible ban on military-style, semi-automatic rifles like those Tarrant allegedly used, some New Zealanders have already taken on Ms Ardern’s suggestion to consider voluntarily handing in their guns.

Armed police have maintained a heavy presence across Christchurch and mosques are still under guard, but residents have returned to work, school and prayer this week.

Pace of investigation defended

As frustration mounts over the time taken to return the bodies of those killed in the attack on two New Zealand mosques, authorities are defending the pace of work.

The remains of just six of the 50 people killed in Christchurch last week have been released to relatives for burial, according to New Zealand police.

Another six have been identified and will be returned shortly. With custom requiring swift burials, the city’s Muslim community is concerned.

Wednesday had earlier been cited as a goal and funeral preparations have been under way for days, with dozens of volunteers flying in from Australia and around New Zealand to help with the rites.

Those helping say the families have been unable to fully begin their grieving, while friends have described the bodies as “crying out to be buried”. Police say they’re highly aware of the exasperation and having completed autopsies, are working as fast as possible to formally identify the bodies. “While identification may seem straightforward, the reality is much more complex, particularly in a situation like this,” they said in a statement. “Our absolute priority is to get this right and ensure that no mistakes are made.”

Officials say another 30 people are still in hospital, with nine in intensive care, after the shooting on Friday that killed 50 and wounded another 50. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern is expected to return to Christchurch on Wednesday, where families raised concerns about the release of bodies during her visit last week.

AAP