Australian police have searched two homes linked to the suspect in the New Zealand mosque shootings.

The New South Wales Joint Counterterrorism Team executed warrants at properties in the towns of Sandy Beach and Lawrence at 8.30am local time on Monday.

It has been reported that the sister of alleged gunman Brenton Tarrant lives at the Sandy Beach home while his mother lives in Lawrence.

“The primary aim of the activity is to formally obtain material that may assist New Zealand Police in their ongoing investigation,” the Australian Federal Police and NSW Police said in a joint statement.

“The community can be assured that there is no information to suggest a current or impending threat related to the search warrants.”

New Zealand shootings: Victims of Christchurch mosque terror attacks Show all 11 1 /11 New Zealand shootings: Victims of Christchurch mosque terror attacks New Zealand shootings: Victims of Christchurch mosque terror attacks Zakaria Bhuiyan People gather hoping to find out information about Zakaria Bhuiyan who is still missing after the mosques shootings in Christchurch. David Moir/AFP New Zealand shootings: Victims of Christchurch mosque terror attacks Mucad Ibrahim Three-year-old Mucad Ibrahim, the youngest known victim of the mass shooting at two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand, on 15 March 2019. Abdi Ibrahim via AP New Zealand shootings: Victims of Christchurch mosque terror attacks Nadeem Rasheed Nadeem Rasheed, brother of Pakistani Naeem Rashid who died alongside his son Talha Naeem, 21, who were killed in shooting at a Mosque in Christchurch, at their home town in Abbottabad, EPA New Zealand shootings: Victims of Christchurch mosque terror attacks Omar Nabi Omar Nabi speaks to the media about losing his father Haji Daoud Nabi, 71, in the mosque attack REUTERS New Zealand shootings: Victims of Christchurch mosque terror attacks Ash Mohammed Ash Mohammed, right, talks to a police officer about his father and two brothers who are missing near the Masjid Al Noor mosque AP New Zealand shootings: Victims of Christchurch mosque terror attacks Akhtar Khokhur Akhtar Khokhur, 58, shows a picture of her missing husband Mehaboobbhai Khokhar, 65. AP New Zealand shootings: Victims of Christchurch mosque terror attacks Wasseim Alsati A note is seen on a window of a door at the family home of Wasseim Alsati in Christchurch on 17 March 2019. AFP/Getty Images New Zealand shootings: Victims of Christchurch mosque terror attacks Haroon Mahmood Relatives offer condolences to nephew (centre) of Haroon Mahmood, a Pakistani citizen who was killed in Christchurch mosque shootings. AP New Zealand shootings: Victims of Christchurch mosque terror attacks Farid Ahmed Farid Ahmed (pictured) survived the Al Noor mosque shootings but his wife Husne was killed. AFP/Getty Images New Zealand shootings: Victims of Christchurch mosque terror attacks Syed Areeb Ahmed A relative shows a picture of Syed Areeb Ahmed, a Pakistani citizen who was killed the Christchurch mosque shooting. AP New Zealand shootings: Victims of Christchurch mosque terror attacks Naeem Rashid A relative looks at a picture on a mobile phone of Pakistani nationals Naeem Rashid and his son Talha Naeem (right) who died in the Christchurch shootings. AFP/Getty Images

Police said the family of Mr Tarrant were assisting the investigation into the Christchurch attacks.

The latest developments came two days after the 28 year-old Australian appeared in court charged with murder over the mass shootings that left 50 people dead.

He is said to have posted a 74-page manifesto online and emailed it to New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern minutes before carrying out the attack while livestreaming it on Facebook.

Forty-two people were killed at the Al Noor mosque before another seven were killed at Linwood mosque. One person died later at Christchurch Hospital.

Officials said 34 wounded remain at the same hospital, including 12 in critical condition. A four-year-old girl at a children’s hospital in Auckland was also listed as critical.

On Sunday thousands of people paid tribute at makeshift memorials to victims of the massacre by leaving flowers, candles, balloons and messages of condolence outside the Al Noor mosque and the city’s botanic gardens.

One tribute, which contained cut-out paper hearts under a tree, read: “We made a heart for you. 50 hearts for 50 lives.”

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