Christchurch mosque attack: Suspect pleads not guilty to all charges

The man accused of killing 51 people in March’s Christchurch mosque attacks has pleaded not guilty to all the charges filed against him.

Brenton Tarrant is charged with 51 counts of murder, 40 counts of attempted murder and one terrorism charge in relation to the March 15 massacre.

It is the first time a terrorism charge has been brought in New Zealand.

Tarrant, 28, appeared at Christchurch High Court via videolink from the maximum security prison in Auckland where he is being held.

He smiled as his lawyer Shane Tait entered the not guilty pleas but otherwise showed little emotion during the hearing.

In the attacks on March 15, 42 worshippers were killed at the Al Noor mosque and seven were killed at the Linwood mosque during Friday prayers. Two more people died later at the Christchurch Hospital.

The shooter livestreamed much of the attack on Facebook.

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At the hearing the courtroom was filled with 80 survivors and family members, with another 60 watching the proceedings on video in an overflow room.

Four cultural advisers and other staff were assigned to help the victims and family members understand what was going on in court and the next steps in the case.

Judge Cameron Mander said that two mental-health assessments of Tarrant - standard procedure in murder cases - had been completed, and there were no issues in relation to his ability to enter pleas and stand trial.

The judge scheduled a six-week trial to start on May 4. Tarrant will remain in custody ahead of his next hearing on August 15.