A 28-year-old Australian born man has smiled as he appeared in Christchurch District Court.

Brenton Harrison Tarrant, charged with murder after an alleged shooting rampage which left 49 dead.

Tarrant appeared dressed in a heavy cream coloured prison smock, his hands cuffed to a leather belt encircling the prison smock.

Police are guarding the front door of the High Court in #Christchurch, where at this moment a 28-year-old man is being charged with murder. pic.twitter.com/T6scTvs7w5

— Dominic Harris (@DominicHarris8) March 15, 2019

He was brought in by prison officers into a heavily secured courtroom under guard by police and court officers and packed with local and international media.

Tarrant kept turning his face towards the media pack, smiling faintly.

He appeared on one charge of murder for which court documents say carries a maximum penalty of life in prison.

He had allegedly been held in police cells under the court overnight after being arrested on Friday afternoon.

A second man Daniel John Burrough, 18, of Christchurch has been charged with intent to excite hostility or ill will against any group of persons in New Zealand on the ground of the colour, race or ethnic or national origins, published written matter which is insulting.

The alleged slaughter of worshippers at Friday prayers at the Al Noor mosque on Dean’s Avenue and the Linwood mosque, a 15 minutes drive apart in central Christchurch, has left 49 dead and dozens injured.

The shooting, allegedly filmed and lifestreamed by the alleged gunman, killed 41 people at Al Noor, seven at Linwood and another person died afterwards in hospital.

There was no application for bail and Tarrant has been remanded in custody until April 5.

Former PM Helen Clark says the mosque shooting is a wake up call to NZ intelligence & police services, and that security services need to be equipped properly.

She expects the attack to provoke reflection on tightening of the gun laws in NZ which she personally supports.

— RNZ (@radionz) March 15, 2019

9 News reporter @RuthWW gives an insight into the alleged Christchurch terrorists first court hearing after the horrific attack. “I’ve never seen anything like it.” #9News pic.twitter.com/Gwd8awPkja

— Nine News Adelaide (@9NewsAdel) March 15, 2019

Witness to the mass shooting in Christchurch, NZ pic.twitter.com/ad7agUWZUI

— Steve Grzanich (@SteveGrzanich) March 15, 2019