Roughly 20,000 people gathered in Christchurch on Friday to observe the Muslim call to prayer in memory of the 50 people who died when a gunman stormed two mosques one week ago.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, along with representatives from the Maori community, attended the somber gathering in Hagley Park, opposite the Al Noor Mosque where 42 people were killed.

At 1:30 p.m., the call to prayer was broadcast nationally across state-run television and radio channels, followed by two minutes' silence, which Ardern encouraged all New Zealanders to observe.

"According to the Muslim faith, the Prophet Muhammad...said the believers in their 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," Ardern said in her brief remarks.

Still unable to re-enter their mosque, members of the Christchurch Muslim community held midday prayers in the park while non-Muslim locals looked on silently.

Christchurch City Council estimates 5,000 Muslims were in attendance, as well as 15,000 non-Muslims.

Police had been working to prepare both the Al Noor Mosque and Linwood Mosque, 5 kilometers away where seven other people died, to be handed back to the community in time for Friday prayers. However, they said their doors would not be reopened until Saturday.

"Last Friday I stood in this mosque and saw hatred and rage in the eyes of the terrorist, who killed and martyred 50 people, wounded 42 and broke the hearts of millions around the world," said Imam Gamal Fouda of Al Noor Mosque.

"Today, from the same place, I look out and I see the love and compassion in the eyes of thousands of fellow New Zealanders and human beings from across the globe."

"We are brokenhearted but we are not broken. We are alive. We are together. We are determined to not let anyone divide us," he added.

Following the service, Toseef Khan, who came to Christchurch from Auckland to support the local community, said the impact of the event had him at a loss for words.

"It was massive to come here and be together. I can't speak about it," he said.

Lisa Jorgensen, who attended the service with her child, said that despite not being a Muslim, she wanted to show her support to the community.

"I wanted to show we care about what happened, that it's not OK. I want to show my love and I just want to say sorry to everyone for what happened."

The 41-year-old was one of many non-Muslim women showing solidarity with the still-grieving Muslim community by wearing a headscarf.

Philippa Martin, 43, said she was initially apprehensive about wearing a hijab in case it caused offense, but that she was reassured by local Muslim women that it would be a welcome gesture.

"It was a bit strange wearing it at first, but when you see other people, you have that connection," she said. "I saw a (non-Muslim) woman wearing one at the supermarket and the Muslim cashier helped her adjust it and wear it properly."

Roselyn Khan, who lost her uncle Ashraf Ali in the attack, said she has been moved by how many non-Muslim women were wearing headscarves.

"It's quite welcoming to see so much support."

Fiji-born Ali, 58, was buried at Memorial Park Cemetery on the outskirts of Christchurch on Wednesday when burials began.

The last of the victims to be buried in Christchurch were interned Friday afternoon in a mass burial.

Roughly 5,000 people attended the burial of 26 victims, including 3-year-old Mucaad Ibrahim, the youngest of the people killed in the attacks.

Funeral attendees buried the bodies five at a time. Emotions inside the funeral marquee appeared to run high, with the master of ceremonies repeatedly requesting mourners to step back and give space to the bodies as they were moved to the grave site.

In total, 42 of the 50 people killed were buried in Christchurch, with others buried in other parts of New Zealand or repatriated to their families.

The memorial event comes one day after Ardern announced new gun legislation that would see military-style semi-automatics, assault rifles and high-caliber ammunition banned.

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