New Zealand acted swiftly after two mosques in Christchurch came under gunfire on March 15, leaving 51 people dead and dozens more injured.

New Zealanders have handed over more than 10,000 guns, weapons parts and accessories in the first week of a buy-back scheme prompted by a mass shooting.

The plans have aroused concern from the community in the South Island city, media said.

Scheer said he spoke to MP Michael Cooper about his comments earlier in the week, and decided to remove him from the committee as a consequence.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Tuesday visited the two New Zealand mosques where 51 worshippers were killed by a gunman in March.

New Zealand's Royal Commission inquiry will look into the suspected gunman's activities, use of social media and international connections, as well as whether there were inappropriate priority settings in counter-terrorism resources.

New Zealand's Parliament on Wednesday passed sweeping gun laws that outlaw military style weapons, less than a month after mass shootings at two mosques in the city of Christchurch left 50 people dead and dozens wounded.

New Zealand lawmakers on Tuesday voted overwhelmingly in favor of new gun restrictions during the first stage of a bill they hope to rush into law by the end of next week.

The far-right, white nationalist groups called identitarians have come into the spotlight after being linked to the gunman who killed 49 people in a terror attack at two New Zealand mosques.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said the Cabinet agreed Monday a royal commission of inquiry "will look at what could have or should have been done to prevent the attack."