WELLINGTON, May 21 (Reuters) - New Zealand police have charged the man accused of murder in shootings at two Christchurch mosques in March with engaging in a terrorist act, they said on Tuesday.

In an attack broadcast live on Facebook , a lone gunman armed with semi-automatic weapons targeted Muslims attending Friday prayers on March 15, killing 51 worshippers and wounding dozens of people.

Tuesdays charge under terrorism suppression legislation was filed against Brenton Tarrant, police said.