Military-style semi-automatic weapons and assault rifles will be banned in New Zealand, the country's prime minister has said.

Jacinda Ardern also announced a ban on high-capacity magazines and parts that can modify a gun to produce semi-automatic or automatic fire.

It comes less than a week after a white supremacist gunman used such weapons to kill 50 people at two Christchurch mosques.

Ms Ardern said the attack showed the weakness of New Zealand's gun laws.

"I absolutely believe there will be a common view amongst New Zealanders, those who use guns for legitimate purposes and those who have never touched one, that the time for the mass and easy availability of these weapons must end. And today they will," she said.


Image: Ms Ardern said the country's gun laws were far too weak

The PM said the attacker had mainly used two assault rifles in the massacre, purchased legally and "enhanced using 30-plus-round magazines".

"While the modification of these guns was illegal, it was done easily through a simple online purchase," said Ms Ardern

The law is expected to be formally in place by 11 April but a temporary measure has been immediately brought in to stop anyone rushing out to buy the weapons.

Image: The PM told gun stores sales of the weapons should 'essentially now stop'

It means semi-automatics and assault rifles now require a special police permit to be purchased.

However, Ms Ardern warned bluntly there was "no point applying for such a permit" and told gun dealers sales should "essentially now stop".

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A buy-back scheme will compensate people who currently own the weapons legally, at a total estimated cost of NZ$100m-$200m (£52m-£104m), a price Ms Ardern said was well worth paying.

Owners are being told to register online so that police can arrange to collect and destroy them.

The suburban home where Tarrant plotted his attack

There is also an amnesty for people who illegally own the banned firearms.

"We just want the guns back," said the prime minister.

Penalties for owning the banned guns are also set to be increased from the current three years in jail or maximum $4000 fine.

New Zealand, with a population of less than five million people, has an estimated 1.2-1.5 million guns. Around 13,500 are military-style semi-automatic weapons (MSSAs).

Image: The funeral of Linda Susan Armstrong took place on Thursday

Image: Police have been keeping watch over the funerals

The PM acknowledged that farmers and people in rural areas legitimately own guns for killing pests and putting down injured animals. Two classes of firearms commonly used for this purpose are not covered by the law change.

A group representing thousands of farmers said it supported the change.

"This will not be popular among some of our members but... we believe this is the only practicable solution," said Federated Farmers Rural Security spokesman Miles Anderson.

Nearly a week on from the terror attack, police revealed they had mistakenly charged mosque terror suspect - 28-year-old Australian Brenton Tarrant - with the murder of a person who is still alive.

They said they had apologised to the person whose name appeared on the charge sheet in error and would amend it.

Image: Mourners at the funeral of one of the victims

Image: A workman carries out repairs to the Linwood mosque

Police also said on Thursday that all the victims' bodies had now been formally identified and were ready to be handed over to families.

Some relatives have been unhappy over the time it has taken - Muslim practice is that a person should be buried as soon as possible, ideally within 24 hours.

The first two funerals - of a father and son from Syria - were held yesterday and there were at least six more services on Thursday.

They included: Ahmad Milne, 14, described as an outgoing boy and Cashmere High School's futsal goalkeeper.

Tariq Rashid Omar, 24, who coached several youth football teams, was also buried; as was Linda Armstrong, 64, who converted to Islam in her 50s.

A mass burial is expected tomorrow after the bodies have been washed and properly prepared.

Twenty-nine people wounded in the attacks remain in hospital, eight of them in intensive care.

The al Noor and Linwood mosques plan to reopen on Friday and workmen have been on site repairing damage from the attack.

A two-minute silence will also be held to remember the victims, and the Muslim call to prayer will be broadcast on New Zealand TV and radio.