More than a thousand people have handed in weapons banned since the terrorist attack at two Christchurch mosques which left 50 people dead.

Assault rifles and military style semi-automatics have been made illegal in sweeping and immediate gun law changes in New Zealand in the wake of the attack.

Meanwhile, the gunman’s “manifesto” – a 72-page document posted on the internet and sent to politicians, including the prime minister, minutes before the attack – has been banned by the country’s censor.

Chief censor David Shanks said “There is an important distinction to be made between ‘hate speech’, which may be rejected by many right-thinking people, but which is legal to express, and this type of publication, which is deliberately constructed to inspire further murder and terrorism.”

He urged anyone in possession of a copy of the document to destroy it, and said it “crosses the line”, by promoting murder and violence against a specific group of people.

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

“New Zealanders can all play a part in denying those who exhort hatred, killing and terror,” Mr Shanks said.

“Do not support the murderous objectives of its author by republishing or distributing it.”

On Monday, three days after the attack, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced a ban on automatic weapons.

The ban came into effect at 3pm on Thursday, at the same time of the press conference announcing the specifics of the ban. Ms Ardern said “all sales should now cease” of the weapons.

Since then over a thousand people have handed in the newly illegal weapons, with police reportedly receiving hundreds of calls a day about the ban.

Those who have handed in firearms include government minister Kelvin Davis, who surrendered a semi-automatic .22 rifle to police.

The government has also created a gun buyback scheme for those who already own the newly illegal weapons. Ms Ardern said “fair and reasonable compensation” would be paid. The New Zealand government estimates this will cost $100m-$200m.

There are thought to be around 1.2 million to 1.5 million guns in the country of 5 million people.