Christchurch shooting: New Zealand braces for mosque gunman's sentencing

More than 60 of those wounded or bereaved to read statements in court and the gunman - facing life without parole - will be given the chance to speak

In a high security and physically distanced courtroom on Monday will begin an end, of sorts, to one of the darkest and most traumatic moments in New Zealand's history: the day an Australian terrorist stormed two mosques in the city of Christchurch, killing dozens of worshipers at prayer.

The shooting survivors and families bereaved by the gunman, will face him in Christchurch high court - many for the first time - as he is sentenced for 51 murders, 40 counts of attempted murder, and a charge of engaging in a terrorist act on 15 March 2019, all of which he has admitted.