New Zealand has launched a multi-million dollar buyback scheme for semi-automatic weapons after new laws were introduced in the wake of the Christchurch terror attacks.

From today, the country has banned most semi-automatic guns, pump action shotguns and certain large capacity magazines.

Gun parts that convert weapons into semi-automatics have also been banned.

A six month amnesty is now in place which will allow people who legally own the weapons to hand them in to police at collection events around the country.

The country's government has set aside a budget of NZ$208m (€121.2m) to compensate owners of the newly-banned weapons up to 95% of their original cost.

They have until December 20th to hand them in.

The new laws were put in place weeks after 51 people were murdered in the terror attack on two mosques in the city of Christchurch in March.

The amnesty allows gun-owners to hand in weapons anonymously "no questions asked" - although only fully licensed guns are eligible for compensation.

Gun owners can also hand in weapons that are still legal if they no longer want them.

It will not be an offence to own a banned gun throughout the six month amnesty - however, it is illegal to use one from today.