A Phillipstown man made a nervous appearance in court - in relation to a suspicious package found on an empty lot

33-year-old Jay Harding-Rereti appeared in the Christchurch District Court today on four explosives charges - and two of possessing knives in public.

Members of the public showed some concern about the package being found just a few blocks from the Linwood Mosque.

But Police say there are no known links between the accused and the Christchurch Mosque attacks.

Newstalk ZB report Amber Allott was in court today - and says Harding-Rereti seemed anxious and was fidgety and distressed.