A coronial hearing into the Christchurch Mosque attacks has begun, but it's not a question of who is to blame.

Coroner Brigitte Windley is tasked with determining the circumstances of each of the 51 deaths - and addressing unanswered questions.

It follows a criminal prosecution and a Royal Commission of Inquiry.

Herald senior reporter Anna Leask has spent the day in court- and she says the Coroner is clear the responsibility rests on terrorist Brenton Tarrant.

She says this is about shining a light on what happened.

"Tarrant didn't go to trial because he pleaded guilty and the Royal Commission was done more privately, so there's a lot of the evidence that the families of the victims will only hear during this process."

LISTEN ABOVE

A coronial hearing into the Christchurch Mosque attacks has begun, but it's not a question of who is to blame.
Coroner Brigitte Windley is tasked with determining the circumstances of each of the 51 deaths - and addressing unanswered questions.
It follows a criminal prosecution and a Royal Commission of Inquiry.
Herald senior reporter Anna Leask has spent the day in court- and she says the Coroner is clear the responsibility rests on terrorist Brenton Tarrant.
She says this is about shining a light on what happened.
"Tarrant didn't go to trial because he pleaded guilty and the Royal Commission was done more privately, so there's a lot of the evidence that the families of the victims will only hear during this process."
LISTEN ABOVE

With a straight down the middle approach, Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive on Newstalk ZB delivers the very latest news and views to New Zealanders as they wrap up their day.