Suspect of New Zealand shooting to appear in court as mayor mourns dead

A 28-year-old man was due to appear in a court in Christchurch on Saturday morning, in connection with the mass shootings in the New Zealand city on Friday.

Three people were arrested in connection with the shooting attacks on two mosques in Christchurch that killed at least 49 people and wounded 48 others. One of them was to appear in court, while the other two are still in custody, according to the police.

One of the arrested was from Australia, and had reportedly live streamed the killing via social media under the name Brenton Tarrant.

While speaking to the public on Saturday morning, Mayor of Christchurch Lianne Dalziel sent her condolences to the victims and their families and people who are affected by the attacks.

"Our thoughts go to the victims and their families and everyone being affected," Lianne Dalziel said. She also acknowledged the "extraordinary response from the police and first responders."

"An attack on the Muslin community is an attack on us, on Christchurch and on New Zealand," Dalziel said.

She said she believed that Christchurch will go through this together.

Major public events during the weekend have all been cancelled across New Zealand as the authorities tightened up security.