Christchurch shootings: Brenton Tarrant appears in court

The main suspect in the killings of 49 people in shootings at two mosques in New Zealand on Friday has appeared in court on a single murder charge.

Australian Brenton Tarrant, 28, was brought to the dock in a white prison shirt and handcuffs. Further charges are expected to be made against him.

PM Jacinda Ardern said Mr Tarrant had a firearms licence and owned five guns, adding: "Our gun laws will change."

Two others are in custody. None of those detained had a criminal record.

Mr Tarrant was described by Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison as an "extremist, right-wing, violent terrorist".

The suspect, who stood silently during the brief hearing in Christchurch, was remanded in custody without a plea and is due to appear in court again on 5 April.

The court judge ruled that the suspect's face should be pixellated in photographs and filming to preserve his fair trial rights.