Rugby League International Federation chief executive Nigel Wood has sent condolences on behalf of the governing body to the people affected by last week's terrorist attack in Christchurch ©Getty Images

Rugby League International Federation chief executive Nigel Wood has sent condolences on behalf of the governing body to the people affected by the terrorist attack in Christchurch.

On Friday (March 15), a gunman carried out two mass shootings at mosques in the New Zealand city, killing 50 people.

Australian Brenton Tarrant, 28, a self-described white supremacist, has been charged with murder.

"On behalf of the whole rugby league community, I would like to send our deepest sympathy and condolences to all the people affected by the tragic events in Christchurch," Wood said in a statement. 

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said yesterday that she would announce detailed gun law reforms imminently.

Some 50 people were killed in the mass shootings ©Getty Images
Some 50 people were killed in the mass shootings ©Getty Images

According to Ardern, gun law changes have been backed "in principle" by her Cabinet.

Police say the killer used military-style assault weapons modified to make them more deadly.

This is not illegal under current legislation.

New Zealand's futsal goalkeeper Atta Elayyan was among the victims.

The Bangladesh cricket team, currently on tour in New Zealand, narrowly avoided being caught up in the attacks.