Christchurch shooting accused Brenton Tarrant described as a 'recluse' by neighbours

Brenton Harrison Tarrant grew up in a modest worker's cottage in an Australian town famous for its Jacaranda festival.

The 28-year-old is now charged with murder in relation to New Zealand's worst massacre that has now claimed 50 lives.

The letterbox in front of his home on a quiet suburban street in Dunedin says: "No Junkmail, Thank you!"

That formal politeness, neighbours say, extended to the quiet Australian who rented the semi-attached weatherboard house.

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"He always waved ... seemed nice enough," said one resident several doors down. "We are all shocked."

Armed police have been a visible presence outside the property since Friday, even warning neighbours not to talk with reporters.

"I knew him as much as anyone," said one neighbour, before being advised not to speak to a reporter by an officer carrying a Bushmaster rifle.

'A RECLUSE'

Tarrant moved into the two-bedroom unit on Somerville St about a year ago.

His former neighbour, a teacher aged in her 20s, still lives there with her partner, a university student, in the unit next door.

The couple, who asked not to be named, shared an internal wall with Tarrant.

The neighbour described him as a quiet man who kept to himself and seemed to leave his home for months at a time.

He also didn't seem to have a job.

Sometimes they would hear cupboards opening and closing but that was it - there were few if any visitors and no loud music.

He was "a bit of a recluse", the woman said. "We didn't see many people coming and going from his place."

The couple introduced themselves when Tarrant moved in, and would see him occasionally on the property's shared pathway.

He seemed friendly and polite, she said. He'd offer to mow the lawns for the landlord, and help out around the property.

"He seemed like a loner, but a friendly loner."

The couple had no idea Tarrant had weapons at the time but have since learned the landlord knew he had a gun licence and had secure storage for his guns.

"We're just in so much shock, to hear what we've been living next to. To hear what he had over there...his guns.

"But now, I know we're safe, with him behind bars. We were living next to him, and now we're safer."

His landlord has so far not responded to questions.

Other people spoken to by Stuff said Tarrant's accent sounded "English", rather than Australian.

Fears over a potential improvised explosive device left at the house prompted several blocks of Somerville St to be cordoned off after the shooting.

Police have said several items of interest were found but nothing that was inherently dangerous.

Tarrant was a member of the Anytime Fitness gym on nearby MacAndrew Rd.

It's understood he would often lift weights.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern told media on Saturday that Tarrant had also travelled extensively.

The British MI5 is reportedly looking into links that Tarrant may have made with far-right extremist groups in their country.

Turkey has also confirmed it is looking at the man's visits to that country, and Bulgarian authorities said he had visited Bulgaria last year.

Stuff asked Immigration New Zealand for Tarrant's travel history but the request was refused.

Stuff reported earlier that Tarrant was also a member of the Bruce Rifle Club, located about 50km south from his Dunedin home.

Tarrant didn't hide his enthusiasm for guns and practised shooting at the club.

A spokesman for the club said members were helping the police with their enquiries.

"He seemed a reasonably normal sort of dude."

AN AUSTRALIAN UPBRINGING

Tarrant's childhood was spent in Australia.

One of the pictures associated with his online account shows an ocker character in a distinctive Australian bush hat and holding a VB beer. 

Tarrant's hometown Grafton is just over 600km north of Sydney and he attended the local high school.

He said online that he barely made it through school and didn't go to university because nothing interested him.

Tarrant described himself online as "just a ordinary white man, 28 years old. Born in Australia to a working class, low-income family".

He later worked as a personal trainer.

Tracey Gray, the owner of Big River Gym in Grafton, New South Wales, said the alleged shooter worked at the gym about five or six years ago.

"He started coming to my facility as a boy that was finishing school and showed a lot of dedication to his own training. Then he went and did his personal training qualifications."

His hometown is known for the Jacaranda festival that includes a beauty pageant, firework display and market stalls lining the main street as the purple blossoms bloom in October.

The acting mayor of Clarence Valley, Jason Kingsley, said it was a dark day for both countries who are in mourning.

"The tragedy that has transpired isn't a reflection of Grafton or Australia, nor is it a reflection of New Zealand. This type of tragedy is a result of extremism."

He said the internet and social media enabled hatred to spread quickly and provided such people with a world-wide audience.

"It is important that our reaction to this tragedy does not give these misguided extremists a larger platform. We must stand united when events like these occur. We must not let these people divide us and we must not give them a larger voice."

In the aftermath of Friday's shooting, the authorities have been delving back into Tarrant's past.

The Sydney Morning Herald reported that his mother, Sharon Tarrant, had been interviewed by the police.

His father, Rodney Tarrant, died at the age of 49 in 2010 from cancer believed to be linked to asbestos. He worked for the James Hardie Group. 

His sister Lauren, who appears to go by the name Rosie Robinson online, is a musician. She and Brenton are both fans of the moody metal band Tool.

The Herald reported police intended to speak to her also, however, Tarrant's grandmother, Joyce Tarrant is unlikely to be able to help with information. A neighbour said she is 94 and has dementia.