Christchurch terror attack: Far-right online activity higher in New Zealand than many other countries - Islamic group

Despite the Christchurch mosque massacre, far-right activity online is much greater in New Zealand than in many other countries.

Muslim groups want the Coroner to look into convicted terrorist Brenton Tarrant's behaviour online leading up to the attack, as well as that of other extremists who have emerged since the mass murder.

They believe questions about the terrorist's online radicalisation and possible links to other individuals or groups remain unanswered.

Tarrant spent countless hours online planning and researching his attack, and the Coroner heard on Wednesday the platforms he used still haven't answered fundamental questions about the crucial role they played.

"They know who he interacted with, what content he saw, what pages they promoted to him, and the conversations and virtual gatherings he had," says Aliya Danziesen from the Islamic Women's Council of NZ.

The Islamic Women's Council says they had concerns about online threats long before March 15 that were never addressed.

Muslim leaders want the Coroner to look at digital platforms, their role in radicalisation, and the ongoing very real threat to New Zealand.

They say the risk of another attack now is higher than before March 15 and far-right activity online is higher in New Zealand than in many other countries.

"New Zealand's extremists have posted almost twice as much as their counterparts in the United Kingdom and Australia. Far-right Facebook pages in New Zealand have more followers per capita than Australia, Canada, the United States and the United Kingdom," Danziesen says.

The Coroner was told that the role and risk of online radicalisation is apparent right now around the Wellington protests, with the growing misinformation and ongoing death threats against media and the Government.

Concerns were raised again on Wednesday about the terrorist not being a lone wolf.

"We are not sure whether this terrorist worked by himself or had others in New Zealand or overseas. That answer has not yet been provided," says Abdul Razzaq from the Federation of Islamic Associations of NZ.

The scope of the Royal Commission was criticised for being too narrow and leaving many questions unanswered - they now want the Coroner to plug the gaps.

"Play your part in the national healing process, New Zealanders need to know what happened and what could have been done to prevent such happening," Razzaq says.

A lawyer for the police pushed back on some of the issues saying they had been addressed by the Royal Commission and the police investigation. 

The Coroner is yet to confirm if an inquest will occur and if it does, what issues it will look at. 

The scope hearing concludes on Thursday when the court will hear from Tarrant's lawyer.