New Zealand police have formally released the names of some of those killed in the Christchurch mosque shootings, as the first funerals of victims took place.

The first two people to be buried following the attacks that killed 50 people were a father and his son, 44-year-old Khalid Mustafa and Hamza Mustafa, 15.

The teen was a student at Cashmere High School and was compassionate and hard-working, according to principal Mark Wilson. Hamza was an excellent horse rider who aspired to be a veterinarian, Mr Wilson said.

His younger brother, Zaed, 13, suffered gunshot wounds to the leg and attended the burial in a wheelchair. The family had fled the Syrian civil war and moved to New Zealand last year, having been told it was “the safest country in the world”, local media reported.

On Wednesday mourners carried the bodies to a a specially-constructed grave site where hundreds gathered to watch.

New Zealand shootings: Victims of Christchurch mosque terror attacks Show all 11 1 /11 New Zealand shootings: Victims of Christchurch mosque terror attacks New Zealand shootings: Victims of Christchurch mosque terror attacks Zakaria Bhuiyan People gather hoping to find out information about Zakaria Bhuiyan who is still missing after the mosques shootings in Christchurch. David Moir/AFP New Zealand shootings: Victims of Christchurch mosque terror attacks Mucad Ibrahim Three-year-old Mucad Ibrahim, the youngest known victim of the mass shooting at two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand, on 15 March 2019. Abdi Ibrahim via AP New Zealand shootings: Victims of Christchurch mosque terror attacks Nadeem Rasheed Nadeem Rasheed, brother of Pakistani Naeem Rashid who died alongside his son Talha Naeem, 21, who were killed in shooting at a Mosque in Christchurch, at their home town in Abbottabad, EPA New Zealand shootings: Victims of Christchurch mosque terror attacks Omar Nabi Omar Nabi speaks to the media about losing his father Haji Daoud Nabi, 71, in the mosque attack REUTERS New Zealand shootings: Victims of Christchurch mosque terror attacks Ash Mohammed Ash Mohammed, right, talks to a police officer about his father and two brothers who are missing near the Masjid Al Noor mosque AP New Zealand shootings: Victims of Christchurch mosque terror attacks Akhtar Khokhur Akhtar Khokhur, 58, shows a picture of her missing husband Mehaboobbhai Khokhar, 65. AP New Zealand shootings: Victims of Christchurch mosque terror attacks Wasseim Alsati A note is seen on a window of a door at the family home of Wasseim Alsati in Christchurch on 17 March 2019. AFP/Getty Images New Zealand shootings: Victims of Christchurch mosque terror attacks Haroon Mahmood Relatives offer condolences to nephew (centre) of Haroon Mahmood, a Pakistani citizen who was killed in Christchurch mosque shootings. AP New Zealand shootings: Victims of Christchurch mosque terror attacks Farid Ahmed Farid Ahmed (pictured) survived the Al Noor mosque shootings but his wife Husne was killed. AFP/Getty Images New Zealand shootings: Victims of Christchurch mosque terror attacks Syed Areeb Ahmed A relative shows a picture of Syed Areeb Ahmed, a Pakistani citizen who was killed the Christchurch mosque shooting. AP New Zealand shootings: Victims of Christchurch mosque terror attacks Naeem Rashid A relative looks at a picture on a mobile phone of Pakistani nationals Naeem Rashid and his son Talha Naeem (right) who died in the Christchurch shootings. AFP/Getty Images

Five other people were officially named by police. They were: Kamel Mohammed Kamal Kamel Darwish, 38, from Jordan; Hati Mohemmed Doud Nabi, 71; Mohsen Mohammed Al Harbi, 63; Junaid Ismail, 36; and Mucaad Ibrahim, three. The latter four victims were from New Zealand.

Police commissioner Mike Bush said police had now formally identified and released the bodies of 21 people to family members.

He said officers hoped to finish formally identifying most victims by the end of the day but added that some would take longer.

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It came after Jacinda Ardern, the prime minister, visited Cashmere High School, where two of the victims were students. Along with Hamza Mustafa, 14-year-old Sayyad Milne was killed in the attacks last week.

In a speech Ms Ardern renewed her call for people to focus on the victims rather than the perpetrator. She has vowed not to say the attacker’s name.