The man accused of murdering 50 people at two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand has been ordered to undergo mental health tests.

The March 15th attack in the city was the worst massacre carried out by a lone gunman in New Zealand’s history.

The 28-year-old Australian appeared in Christchurch High Court via video link overnight – with victim’s families watching on.

He is facing 50 murder charges and 39 charges of attempted murder.

He was originally charged with a single murder count of murder as a holding measure.

He is being kept at New Zealand's only maximum security prison in Auckland – where he is reportedly under 24-hour surveillance and has no access to news reports.

During the court appearance on Friday morning, local time, Justice Cameron Mander remanded the accused in custody until June 15th.

Mental health

He ordered him to undergo a mental assessment to determine whether he is fit for trial.

According to the New Zealand Herald, the judge stressed that the move was "normal procedure" and an "entirely ordinary and regular step" to be taken at this stage of the judicial process.

Nothing should be read into the ordering of the reports, he added.

The terror attacks at the al Noor mosque and the Linwood Islamic Centre led to a major overhaul of the gun laws in New Zealand.

Last weekend, tens of thousands of people gathered at memorial services around the country to remember the victims.

The youngest person murdered on the day was just three-years-old, while the eldest was 71.

Victims

Ms Ardern has famously pledged never to speak the accused man’s name to ensure he is not granted the “notoriety” he seeks.

Below, John O’Keefe, criminologist and lecturer in forensic psychology, tells Newstalk why he feels it is essential that we focus on the victims of crime – instead of those that carry them out.