New Zealand police have apologised after accidentally charging the Christchurch mosque terror suspect with the murder of someone who is still alive.

Police charged 28-year-old Australian Brenton Tarrant with a single, representative count of murder after 50 people were killed in Friday’s shootings at two mosques in the quiet city.

But on Thursday police said they made an error on the charging sheet prepared for Mr Tarrant’s first court appearance the day after the attack.

In a statement, they said officers have spoken with the person incorrectly named on the document and have apologised, and that they would change the charge sheet.

A gunman killed 50 people after opening fire at two mosques in Christchurch during Friday prayers on 15 March.

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

The attacks began at the Al Noor mosque at about 1.40pm, where 42 people were killed.

The gunman, who police believe acted alone, then drove about three miles across town where he attacked the Linwood mosque, killing seven more people. One person also died later in a hospital.

Among the victims were children, including three-year-old Mucad Ibrahim, four-year-old Abdullahi Dirie and 14-year-old Sayyad Milne.

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At least six funerals took place on Wednesday, including for Cashmere High School student Sayyad and a youth football coach.

New Zealand prime minister Jacinda Ardern has been praised for her response to the shootings.

Less than a week after the attack, the country has announced that all semi-automatic, military-style weapons have been banned.

Unveiling details of the plan agreed by cabinet earlier this week, Ms Ardern said assault rifles and “related parts used to convert these guns (such as bump stocks) are also being banned, along with all high-capacity magazines”.