The Australian man arrested over a terror attack on two mosques in New Zealand will have his mental fitness to stand trial tested before his case proceeds.
Three weeks on from the shootings that killed 50, Brenton Tarrant, 28, appeared on Friday by video-link at the High Court at Christchurch, where 50 counts of murder and 39 of attempted murder were laid.
The former NSW resident is being held in New Zealand's only maximum detention prison, in Auckland, where he has no visitors or access to media reports.
A largely motionless Tarrant - on mute - appeared on a large screen in the courtroom on Friday, a small cell showing in the background.
The courtroom's public gallery was packed with dozens of friends and families of the victims, some staring quietly at the defendant throughout.
During the half-hour hearing Justice Cameron Mander ordered Tarrant undergo two assessments to determine whether he may be mentally impaired, legally insane or fit to stand trial.
This is a routine step during many New Zealand trials.
No pleas to the charges were entered.
Justice Mander also suppressed the names of those Tarrant is accused of attempting to kill.
Tarrant remains in custody will return to court on June 14.
The hearing was carried out under strict media conditions, including a ban on photography or video recording.
