Accused mosque gunman abandons bid to move trial from Christchurch

Australian Brenton Tarrant will stand trial for 51 counts of murder and one charge of terrorism in Christchurch in June next year.

Brenton Tarrant in court, charged with murder over the Christchurch mosque massacre. Source: AAP

New Zealand's alleged mosque gunman, Brenton Tarrant, has withdrawn his application to move his trial from Christchurch.

The High Court convened on Thursday morning - with Tarrant appearing via videolink from jail - only to receive instructions that the application to shift the trial to Auckland would not be pursued.

Justice Cameron Mander, therefore, dismissed the move, meaning the trial will take place from 2 June next year.

Tarrant, an Australian, has pleaded not guilty to 51 counts of murder, 40 counts of attempted murder and one charge of terrorism.

Mourners lay flowers on a wall at the Botanical Gardens in Christchurch. Source: AP

The charges stem from attacks on two Christchurch mosques, at al-Noor and Linwood, during Friday prayers in March.

Family and friends of the victims packed the courtroom for the latest hearing, and minutes before it began, they were told to expect a development.

Tarrant, clad in a prison uniform and displayed on a big screen in the courtroom, tried to catch the attention of the court during the 10-minute hearing.

The legal proceedings cannot be reported as they are the subject of suppression orders. 

As the hearing finished, Tarrant began ranting and shouting into the microphone, but as it was set on mute, his outburst wasn't heard.

Outside the court, Tarrant's lawyer Shane Tait declined to answer questions on why his client decided to withdraw the application.

Worshippers pray at a makeshift memorial at the Al Noor Mosque in Christchurch following the attack. Source: AAP

Affected community members gathered together after the hearing, receiving legal briefings on the outcome.

Wasseim al Sati, who was shot with his daughter during the attacks, was one of many inside the courtroom on Thursday.

He said many community members were pleased the trial would be held in Christchurch.

"Otherwise I would have ended up travelling every court time," he said.

"That was going to have been an extra cost.

"Mentally I am prepared (to attend) because I want to chase it up.

"It's good now it's going to be held in Christchurch." 

The timing of the trial has already been shifted, moved back four weeks on an application from the Crown, so it would not clash with the Islamic holy month of Ramadan.

Tarrant is next due in court on 12 December for a procedural hearing.