Australian man charged with 50 counts of murder over Christchurch mosque massacre

New Zealand Police have announced the terrorist behind the Christchurch attack will face 50 murder charges and 39 attempted murder charges.

A vigil in Christchurch after the attacks.

A vigil in Christchurch after the attacks. Source: AAP

The Australian gunman behind the Christchurch terror attack will face 50 murder charges and 39 attempted murder charges.

The charges against Brenton Tarrant, 28, were announced by police on Thursday. He is due to appear at the High Court at Christchurch on Friday.

Previously, the gunman had only been formally charged with a single count of murder following the March 15 attack that killed 50 and injured 50 more.

Despite labelling the shooting an act of terrorism, authorities had not said whether the former NSW resident would be the first person charged under New Zealand's anti-terror laws.

The country's terrorism legislation has in the past proved unwieldy and complex, and legal experts have said terror charges may just complicate the prosecution for no material difference in outcome if he is convicted.

"Other charges are still under consideration," police said on Thursday.

The gunman is being held in New Zealand's only maximum security prison, in Auckland, and has had no access to television, radio, newspapers or visitors.

He will appear in court by video link on Friday, but is not required to enter pleas to the charges.

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Australian man charged with 50 counts of murder over Christchurch mosque massacre | SBS Chinese