Live: Christchurch mosque shootings: NZ falls silent - 'We are broken-hearted but we are not broken'

KEY POINTS:
• The nation fell silent at 1:32pm today to honour the 50 killed in Christchurch's shootings
• 'We are broken-hearted but we are not broken' - Imam tells hundreds who came to pray at Christchurch's Hagley Park
• Thousands expected for vigil in Auckland Domain at 6pm
• Four Auckland mosques opening their doors to all Kiwis from 5pm-8pm - in Ponsonby, Ranui, North Shore and Pakuranga

"New Zealand is unbreakable. We are broken-hearted but we are not broken."

Seven days ago, Al Noor Mosque Imam Gamal Fouda looked into the eyes of a killer.

Today, all he saw was love and compassion, as thousands gathered in Hagley Park - and millions stopped around New Zealand and the world - to honour the 50 killed at the two Christchurch mosques.

"Thank you for your haka, thank you for your flowers," Fouda told the gathered crowd, including Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and All Black Sonny Bill Williams.

The article continues below the live blog.

"Thank you for your love and compassion. To our Prime Minister, thank you. Thank you for your leadership - it has been a lesson for the world's leaders.

"Thank you to our neighbours who opened their doors to save us from the killer."

The Muslim call to prayer was spoken at 1.30pm followed by two minutes' silence to honour the victims of the shootings at the Deans Ave and Linwood Ave mosques.

Fifty people, of Muslim religion, died in the terrorist attack perpetrated by one accused gunman, and 48 were wounded, some critically, including a 4-year-old girl who is still fighting for her life.

Thousands gathered in Hagley Park, opposite the Masjid Al Noor on Deans Ave before the Jummah Salah, or afternoon prayer, by 1.15pm.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern was at the reflection as the call to prayer sounded at 1.30pm, followed by two minutes' silence at 1.32pm.

Uninterrupted prayers began at 1.34pm. Ardern left after 2pm.

The nation will stop to mourn the 50 who died at last Friday's Christchurch shooting. Photo / Getty

The funerals of the 50 victims, whose identification was completed yesterday, are expected to continue and a national memorial will take place next week.

Ardern said New Zealanders were encouraged to join in wherever they were.

"I know many New Zealanders wish to mark the week that has passed since the terrorist attack and to support the Muslim community as they return to mosques. How we choose to reflect during the silence will be different for each of us.

"Everyone should do what feels right for them, wherever they are — at home, at work, at school."

Around the country today, tributes will be paid at events and vigils as New Zealand's unity continues to shine through the tragedy.

The nation will stop to mourn the 50 who died at last Friday's Christchurch shooting. Photo / Getty

More than 10,000 people are expected at the Auckland Domain for the Jummah Rememberance Vigil, starting at 6pm.

From 1.15pm at the Kilbirnie Mosque in Wellington, a human chain will be formed. There will be vigils in the Dunedin Octagon at 7pm, and at Geraldine, Nelson, Kapiti, Gisborne and Hamilton.

In Auckland, mosques in four corners of the city will open their doors to people of all faiths to remember the 50 lives lost. These are the Ponsonby Masjid, Ranui Mosque, North Shore Islamic Centre and Masjid Abu Bakr Al-Siddiq in Pakuranga. They will be open from 5pm to 8pm.

New Zealand Muslim Association president Ikhlaq Kashkari said this was also a chance to thank the community for its support, compassion and kindness in the aftermath of the attack.

"It is important now, more than ever, to show solidarity and band together with our brothers and sisters across the country."

In Muslim tradition, worshippers are called to five daily prayers by a formal announcement, recited over a loud speaker from the minaret tower of a mosque by the muezzin (the prayer leader).

Ponsonby Masjid assistant imam Iqdal Slaimankhel said it was not where worshippers prayed that was important, but when.