The judge investigating the police handling of searches after the mosque attacks - acknowledges officers were operating at high alert

The independent Police Conduct Authority investigated 13 complaints about searches during Operation Whakahaumanu - which aimed to mitigate any future violent acts

Chair Judge Colin Doherty says in all searches, police used the Search and Surveillance Act so they did not require a warrant - but three searches were found to be unlawful.

In the three cases - two were gun owners who'd allegedly expressed far right opinions.

All three were red flagged for making comments on Facebook.