Four people are in custody after 50 people were killed and 20 more were seriously injured in shootings at two mosques in the New Zealand city of Christchurch.

New Zealand Police said there had been "multiple fatalities" following what they described as a "tragic series of events" in the Canterbury region on Friday.

What has happened in Christchurch?

Officers first responded to reports of shots fired in central Christchurch at about 1.40pm local time (12.40am GMT).

Two shootings took place at two separate mosques in the city, one at Masjid Al Noor mosque on Deans Avenue and another at Masjid Mosque, Linwood Avenue.

Police said they also defused a number of improvised explosive devices found on vehicles after the shootings.

All schools and council buildings were put on lockdown and members of the public were told not to go outside. The lockdown has since been lifted.