He is a terrorist, an inhumane and wicked mass killer – a "monster" and "undoubtedly" New Zealand's "worst murderer". And now Brenton Harrison Tarrant will never be released from prison, spending the rest of his life behind bars without any possibility of parole. Video / Chris Tarpey
The cost of sentencing mosque gunman Brenton Tarrant in Christchurch has reached more than $340,000.
The 29-year-old Australian terrorist was jailed for life without parole in August for murdering 51 Muslims at two Christchurch mosques on March 15, 2019.
The New Zealand Defence Force has already revealed it cost $39,321 to transport Tarrant on a Royal New Zealand Air Force C-130 Hercules from Auckland to Christchurch.
Today, the Corrections Department has revealed it cost them a further $150,000 to ferry the killer to and from his sentencing.
Brenton Tarrant, centre in black helmet, was flown to and from his Christchurch sentencing, on a Defence Force Hercules plane.
Feroz Ditta, wounded after being shot twice at Masjid Al Noor, said the costs were "unavoidable and unfortunate".
"They are costs that were necessary for the transportation and security around him," he said.
"But the cost to the victims themselves are ongoing and you cannot quantify that in dollars and cents."
Feroz Ditta during Tarrant's sentencing. Photo / NZH
Corrections was the lead agency in ensuring the "security and safety of the terrorist and the staff" – from both Corrections and other agencies – who were responsible for managing him during the intense four-day sentencing hearing in late August.
Officials were also responsible for managing the security operation involved in escorting the killer from Auckland to Christchurch – and back again.
Corrections says the $150,000 figure is comprised of personnel costs (including overtime and allowances), accommodation for staff, car hire and petrol, and other costs relating to "operationally sensitive matters, which we are declining to detail for security reasons".
"The sentencing of the Christchurch terrorist was a significant operation for Corrections in terms of ensuring that he was managed safely and securely during his sentencing," Corrections said today.
"Corrections played a key role as part of a multi-agency operation alongside the Ministry of Justice and Police."
Corrections says $150,704.30 is the total cost to Corrections as at October 8.
However, they may be given further invoices in the future – including the likely cancellation fee for a motel used to accommodate staff.
"The fee was incurred as a result of the prisoner's trial being scheduled and then cancelled as a result of his guilty plea, resulting in amendments to the motel booking," Corrections says.
"The amount of this fee is in dispute, meaning Corrections does not currently have a figure for this cost."
Meanwhile, figures released by police reveal their costs to ensure the safety of the public and victims during the sentencing were almost $150,000.
Police snipers were in place as part of the security operation for the gunman's sentencing.
It cost $143,569, excluding staff salaries, Stuff reported.
Traffic control cost $38,323, food for officers was $26,454, and $24,100 was spent on private security guards.
Another $21,328 was spent on travel, $13,590 on accommodation and $10,650 on a helicopter, as well as $6000 on St John paramedics and $3123 on equipment.
On March 15, 2019, Tarrant stormed two Christchurch mosques, firing indiscriminately at worshippers attending Friday prayers.
He initially pleaded not guilty to his offending but later changed his mind and admitted 51 charges of murder, 40 counts of attempted murder, and one of engaging in a terrorist act, laid under the Terrorism Suppression Act 2002.
