New Zealand's Jacinda Ardern vows to never speak Christchurch killer's name

In a sombre address, the prime minister also promised tougher gun control

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern speaks to the house at Parliament on March 19, 2019 in Wellington, New Zealand. Getty Images

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has vowed never to speak the name of the man accused of the Christchurch terror attacks and has urged the public to instead remember the victims.

Addressing parliament on Tuesday for the first time since Friday's mass shooting, in which 50 people were killed at two mosques in Christchurch, Ms Ardern described the event as “forever a day etched in our collective memories” but said she would give the perpetrator nothing except “the full force of the law in New Zealand”.

“Speak the names of those who were lost rather than the man who took them. He may seek notoriety, but we in New Zealand will give him nothing, not even his name,” she said.

An Australian man, 28, appeared briefly in court on Saturday, charged with one count of murder. More charges are expected following the worst peacetime mass shooting in New Zealand history.

"The terror attack in Christchurch on Friday was the worst act of terrorism on our shores," the prime minister said. "It was in fact one of the worst globally in recent times."

Opening the session of parliament with an "as salaam alaikum" message of peace to Muslims, Ms Ardern promised to launch an inquiry into the twin mosques shooting and to enact stronger gun laws.

"The clear lesson from history around the world is that to make our community safer, the time to act is now," she said.

"I know that this might for a short period create a small degree of uncertainty amongst some gun owners, including those who possess guns for legitimate reasons, and I particularly acknowledge those in our rural communities. I want to assure you that the work that we are doing is not directed at you.

"In fact, I strongly believe that the vast majority of gun owners in New Zealand will agree with the sentiment that change needs to occur."

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Christchurch shootings: the faces of those whose identity has been confirmed so far from among the 50 victims

Mucaad Ibrahim, the youngest known victim of the March 15 Mosque shootings in Christchurch. Abdi Ibrahim via AP

Atta Elayyan. The 33-year-old was a Jordanian citizen of Palestinian descent who was born in Kuwait. He migrated with his family to New Zealand in 1992, where he became a leading IT developer and a goalkeeper for New Zealand’s national futsal team. AFP

Lilik Abdul Hamid was an Indonesian aircraft maintenance engineer at Air New Zealand. Rex

Haji Daoud. The Afghan fled to New Zealand to escape the Soviet invasion in 1979. He was the president of a local Afghan association and supported other migrant groups. He is reported to have thrown himself in front of fellow worshipers when the gunman burst in and started shooting. Reuters

Sayyad Milne. The 14-year-old was a good-natured, kind teenager. EPA

Amjad Hamid was a doctor who was well liked for his kindness, compassion and sense of humour. Rex

Syed Janandad Ali, 34, a Pakistani citizen. Rex

Pakistani citizen Naeem Rashid, who was killed along with and his son Talha Naeem. He will be given a national bravery award, Prime Minister Imran Khan has said, after he appeared to confront the gunman. He was a banker by profession and moved to New Zealand in 2009 to study, local media reported. EPA

A relative weeps while showing the picture of Sohail Shahid, a Pakistani citizen who was killed in Christchurch mosque shootings. AP Photo

Osama Adnan Abu Kwaik was born in Gaza, and spent his childhood and teenage years in Egypt. Rex

A relative shows a picture of Syed Areeb Ahmed, a Pakistani citizen who was killed. AP Photo

Haroon Mahmood, 41, a Pakistani national, was the assistant academic director of Canterbury College. REX / Shutterstock

Husne Ara Parvin, 42, was killed when she tried to save her wheelchair-bound paralysed husband Farid Uddin. Rex

Friends of a missing man Zakaria Bhuiyan hold up photos of him outside a refuge centre in Christchurch. AAP Image via AP

Farhaj Ahsan was an engineer from India and moved to New Zealand in 2010. REX / Shutterstock

Sixteen-year-old Hamza Mustafa was an excellent horse rider and aspired to be a veterinarian. AFP

Hussein Al Umari was killed while running towards the terrorist, as he tried to protect people fleeing the mosque. Courtesy Janna Ezat.

Tariq Omar played soccer in the summer and was a beloved coach of several youth teams. AP Photo

Akhtar Khokhur, 58, shows a picture of her husband Mehaboobbhai Khokhar during an interview outside an information centre for families in Christchurch, New Zealand. AP Photo

A man pedals his bicycle past a poster of Anzi Ali Bhava in Kodungalloor town in the southern state of Kerala, India. Reuters

Hossein Moustafa had moved with his family to Christchurch 20 years ago from Egypt. AP Photo