New Zealand's Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern joined thousands in a two-minute vigil, a week after the attacks on two mosques in Christchurch.

She joined Muslims and non-Muslims in Hagley Park, opposite al Noor mosque, to observe the call to prayer followed by the silence.

At least 42 people were killed in al Noor mosque, and seven in nearby Linwood mosque, after a gunman opened fire on Friday March 15th.

The call to prayer and subsequent silence was also broadcast on television and radio with thousands tuning in.

It comes the day after the government there banned "military-style" semi-automatic firearms and high capacity magazines like the weapons used in the attacks.

The country does not have a constitutional right to bear arms.

Ms Ardern said: "The Prophet Mohammed, sallallahu alaihi wasallam (Peace be upon Him) said: 'The believers in mutual kindness, compassion and sympathy are just like one body. When any part of the body suffers, the whole body feels pain.'

"New Zealand mourns with you. We are one."

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and all her female staff wearing headscarves - in a display of solidarity for the Muslim community - while gathering for the Friday prayers followed by two minutes of silence for the victims of the Christchurch mosques attack | Image: SOPA Images/SIPA USA/PA Images

After the call to prayer, Imam Gamal Fouda, from al Noor mosque said: "Last week I stood in this mosque and saw hatred in the eyes of the terrorist.

"Today, from the same place I look out and see the love and compassion in the eyes of thousands of fellow New Zealanders and human beings, that fill the hearts of millions more, who are not with us physically but in spirit."

He added: "We are broken-hearted, but we are not broken. We are alive, we are together, we are determined to not let anyone divide us."

He said the terrorist sought to tear them apart, but that they had shown New Zealand was "unbreakable".

He thanked supporters for their love, the flowers, the Haka. He thanked Ms Ardern for her leadership, saying it was an example for world leaders.

Imam Gamal Fouda addresses the crowd of Muslim and non-Muslim gathered for the call to prayer to honour the victims during the friday prayers at Hagley Park | Image: SOPA Images/SIPA USA/PA Images

He said: "Thank you for holding our families close and honouring us with a simple scarf. Thank you for being one with us. Thank you to the New Zealand government and all the wonderful people who have shown us that we matter and are not forgotten."

A second imam told the crowds "Islamophobia kills".

He says the attacks proved that terrorism has "no colour, race or religion".

Ashir Rizvi (29) who survived the shooting, said: "It's just heartbreaking. The first thing when we went there, I looked at Faisal - my friend, he's my housemate as well - the first thing I told him; 'mate, this could have been us', and I just started crying.

"I'm absolutely, absolutely still very grateful to be in this country. When you see our leader, Jacinda, you feel you are still in safe hands.

"Terrorist attacks, hatred is everywhere, all over the world. So saying that 'oh Christchurch is not, or New Zealand is not, a safe place anymore', I think that that doesn't really make any sense to me."

Burial of the victims began on Wednesday, with a final mass burial planned for later on Friday.

A 28-year-old suspected white supremacist has been charged with murder following the attacks and was remanded without plea.

He will reappear in court on April 5th, when police say he will likely face more charges.