Wellington: New Zealand politicians have voted overwhelmingly in favour of new gun control measures during the first stage of a bill they hope to rush into law by the end of next week.

The bill would ban the types of weapons a gunman used to kill 50 people at two mosques in Christchurch last month.

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and partner Clarke Gayford at the national Remembrance Service to those who were killed in the Al Noor Mosque and the Linwood Islamic Centre shooting in Christchurch. Credit:AAP

Only one politician from the 120 that sit in Parliament voted against the legislation in a bipartisan display of unity. Tuesday's vote was the first of three that must pass before the bill becomes law.

Police Minister Stuart Nash said far too many people have access to dangerous firearms and that in New Zealand gun ownership remains a privilege, not a right.