A Bangladeshi cricketer who narrowly escaped last week's <a href="https://www.wionews.com/search?q=Christchurch+shooting">deadly mosque attacks in New Zealand</a> married his fiancee Friday.

Off-spinner Mehidy Hasan was among 17 members of the Bangladesh Test cricket team touring New Zealand who were driven up to a Christchurch mosque as the shooting began. &nbsp;

They later watched as blood-soaked victims staggered from the building, according to team manager Khaled Mashud, who said if they had arrived just a few minutes later the team could have been caught up in the massacre.&nbsp;

Mehidy announced that he had married his long-term sweetheart Rabeya Akhter Priti on Thursday in a ceremony in the southwestern Bangladeshi city of Khulna.

"I am starting a new journey in my life today. I would like to request the blessings of all my fans and well wishers for my new beginning. May the Rahmat of Allah always shower upon us," Mehidy said in his official Facebook page.

Meanwhile, pace bowler Mustafizur Rahman was due to marry his cousin, psychology student Samia Parvin Shimu, in their rural home on Friday, his brother told AFP.

"We were looking for a suitable time for his marriage... Now if&nbsp;it can help him overcome the shock, we will be really happy," Mahfuzur Rahman said.

The team was in Christchurch for their third and final Test match against the home side scheduled to begin last Saturday, which was promptly cancelled to allow the cricketers to return home.

Fifty people died in attacks on two mosques in Christchurch in what is believed to be the worst assault on Muslims in a Western country.&nbsp;Five Bangladeshis were among those killed.

A Bangladeshi cricketer who narrowly escaped last week's deadly mosque attacks in New Zealand married his fiancee Friday. Off-spinner Mehidy Hasan was among 17 members of the Bangladesh Test cricket team touring New Zealand who were driven up to a Christchurch mosque as the shooting began.

A Bangladeshi cricketer who narrowly escaped last week's deadly mosque attacks in New Zealand married his fiancee Friday. Off-spinner Mehidy Hasan was among 17 members of the Bangladesh Test cricket team touring New Zealand who were driven up to a Christchurch mosque as the shooting began. They later watched as blood-soaked victims staggered from the building, according to team manager Khaled Mashud, who said if they had arrived just a few minutes later the team could have been caught up in the massacre. Mehidy announced that he had married his long-term sweetheart Rabeya Akhter Priti on Thursday in a ceremony in the southwestern Bangladeshi city of Khulna. "I am starting a new journey in my life today. I would like to request the blessings of all my fans and well wishers for my new beginning. May the Rahmat of Allah always shower upon us," Mehidy said in his official Facebook page. Meanwhile, pace bowler Mustafizur Rahman was due to marry his cousin, psychology student Samia Parvin Shimu, in their rural home on Friday, his brother told AFP. "We were looking for a suitable time for his marriage... Now if it can help him overcome the shock, we will be really happy," Mahfuzur Rahman said. The team was in Christchurch for their third and final Test match against the home side scheduled to begin last Saturday, which was promptly cancelled to allow the cricketers to return home. Fifty people died in attacks on two mosques in Christchurch in what is believed to be the worst assault on Muslims in a Western country. Five Bangladeshis were among those killed.

Bangladesh cricketer marries after surviving New Zealand mosque horror

A 44-year-old man has become the second person charged with sharing a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/christchurch-teenager-charged-with-distributing-mosque-rampage-livestream-204041">gruesome livestream video of the deadly attack at a Christchurch mosque</a>, as New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern called for a global response to the dangers of social media.

Philip Arps, 44, was arrested by New Zealand Police on Tuesday, four days after 28-year-old Australian <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/new-zealand-six-bodies-of-christchurch-massacre-victims-released-to-their-families-after-delay-204318">Brenton Tarrant went on a rampage at two mosques</a> in the southern city, killing 50 people and wounding dozens more.

The livestream video was shot by Tarrant, who is facing one initial charge of murder for the killings at Al Noor and Linwood mosques.

Arps was charged with two counts of distributing objectionable material under the Films Act and was remanded in custody after appearing in Christchurch District Court on Wednesday.

Arps, who is due back in court on April 15, has attracted controversy for owning a company with <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hate-crimes-white-supremacist-groups-existed-in-new-zealands-christchruch-report-204349">Nazi-themed branding</a>. The firm's logo is a sun wheel, which was appropriated by the Nazis.

A teenager appeared in court earlier this week on the same charge.

Facebook said the livestream was viewed fewer than 200 times but it has had to remove a staggering 1.5 million videos as footage of the slaughter went viral.

Ardern said Wednesday that while her focus was on the people of New Zealand, there were issues world leaders needed to confront collectively.

"We cannot, for instance, just simply deal with some of the issues we face with our social media to be dealt with on a case by case basis," she said.&nbsp;

"There is an argument there to be made for us to take a united front on a global issue.

"This is not just an issue for New Zealand, the fact that social media platforms have been used to spread violence (and) material that incites violence. All of us need to present a united front."

Arps' court appearance came as the first funerals of the victims were held, with more expected to take place later Wednesday and on Thursday as officials release the victims' bodies to their families.

A 44-year-old man has become the second person charged with sharing a gruesome livestream video of the deadly attack at a Christchurch mosque, as New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern called for a global response to the dangers of social media.

A 44-year-old man has become the second person charged with sharing a gruesome livestream video of the deadly attack at a Christchurch mosque, as New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern called for a global response to the dangers of social media. Philip Arps, 44, was arrested by New Zealand Police on Tuesday, four days after 28-year-old Australian Brenton Tarrant went on a rampage at two mosques in the southern city, killing 50 people and wounding dozens more. The livestream video was shot by Tarrant, who is facing one initial charge of murder for the killings at Al Noor and Linwood mosques. Arps was charged with two counts of distributing objectionable material under the Films Act and was remanded in custody after appearing in Christchurch District Court on Wednesday. Arps, who is due back in court on April 15, has attracted controversy for owning a company with Nazi-themed branding. The firm's logo is a sun wheel, which was appropriated by the Nazis. A teenager appeared in court earlier this week on the same charge. Facebook said the livestream was viewed fewer than 200 times but it has had to remove a staggering 1.5 million videos as footage of the slaughter went viral. Ardern said Wednesday that while her focus was on the people of New Zealand, there were issues world leaders needed to confront collectively. "We cannot, for instance, just simply deal with some of the issues we face with our social media to be dealt with on a case by case basis," she said. "There is an argument there to be made for us to take a united front on a global issue. "This is not just an issue for New Zealand, the fact that social media platforms have been used to spread violence (and) material that incites violence. All of us need to present a united front." Arps' court appearance came as the first funerals of the victims were held, with more expected to take place later Wednesday and on Thursday as officials release the victims' bodies to their families.

Christchurch  mass shooting: New Zealand police charge second man with sharing livestream of massacre

The bodies of six of the Christchurch massacre victims have been released to their families, New Zealand police said Tuesday, but they warned only a fraction of the 50 people killed had been fully identified, with the delay angering anguished relatives.

Muslims whose loved ones were gunned down by an Australian white supremacist at two mosques last Friday have had their grief compounded by the failure of the authorities to return bodies to families in time for a speedy burial, as required under Islamic custom.

Police in Christchurch said only 12 of the 50 victims had been identified and appeared to warn next of kin to brace for further delays.

"We are doing all we can to undertake this work as quickly as possible and return the victims to their loved ones," a police statement said.

"While identification may seem straightforward the reality is much more complex, particularly in a situation like this."

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern vowed on Tuesday that gunman Brenton Tarrant would face the "full force of the law" as she opened a sombre session of parliament with an evocative "as-salaam alaikum" message of peace to Muslims.

But the black-clad Ardern pledged to grieving Kiwis that she would deprive the 28-year-old gunman of the publicity he craved by never uttering his name.

"That is why you will never hear me mention his name. He is a terrorist. He is a criminal. He is an extremist. But he will, when I speak, be nameless," she told assembled lawmakers.

"I implore you: Speak the names of those who were lost rather than the name of the man who took them."

The 38-year-old leader closed by noting that Friday marks a week since the attack, and urged New Zealanders to grieve along with them.&nbsp;

"Wa alaikum salaam wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh," she said -- "May the peace, mercy, and blessings of Allah be with you too."

Families gather

But the forensic delays are casting a cloud over New Zealand's handling of the horrific ordeal.

Dozens of relatives of the deceased have already begun arriving from around the world ahead of expected funerals which have already been delayed far beyond the 24 hours after death usually observed under Islam.

Peter Elms of New Zealand's immigration department said 65 visas had been granted for overseas family members so far.

Christchurch police said post-mortems had been completed on all 50 victims.

But only 12 had been "identified to the satisfaction of the coroner" nearly a week after the rampage.

Javed Dadabhai, who travelled from Auckland to help bury his cousin, said families and volunteers had been warned of a slow process.

"The majority of people still have not had the opportunity to see their family members," he told AFP.

Mohamed Safi, 23, whose father Matiullah Safi died in Al Noor mosque, pleaded for officials to let him identify his father and set a date for his burial.

"There's nothing they are offering," Safi, an Afghan refugee, said outside a family support centre.

"They are just saying they are doing their procedures, they are doing their process. But what process? Why do I not know what you are going through to identify the body... Why am I not contacted as an immediate family member?"

In a rambling manifesto, the gunman had said he was motivated partly by a desire to stoke a violent response from Muslims and a religious war between Islam and the West.

The Islamic State group, in a message on social media, appeared to encourage retaliatory attacks.

"The scenes of killing in the two mosques... incite members of the caliphate living there to avenge their religion and the children of the umma (Muslims) who were are being slaughtered in all corners of the earth with the sponsorship and blessing of the Crusader countries," it said.

Gun control

Following the mass shooting, Ardern has promised to reform New Zealand laws that allowed the gunman to legally purchase weapons used in the attack.

New Zealanders have already begun answering government appeals to hand in their weapons, including John Hart, a farmer in the North Island district of Masterton.

Hart said it was an easy decision for him to hand in his semi-automatic and tweeted: "on the farm they are a useful tool in some circumstances, but my convenience doesn't outweigh the risk of misuse. We don't need these in our country."

The tweet drew a barrage of derogatory messages to his Facebook account -- most apparently from the US, where the pro-gun lobby is powerful.

Ardern has said details of the proposed reform will be announced by next week, but she indicated they could include gun buybacks and a ban on some semi-automatic rifles.

The bodies of six of the Christchurch massacre victims have been released to their families, New Zealand police said Tuesday, but they warned only a fraction of the 50 people killed had been fully identified, with the delay angering anguished relatives.

The bodies of six of the Christchurch massacre victims have been released to their families, New Zealand police said Tuesday, but they warned only a fraction of the 50 people killed had been fully identified, with the delay angering anguished relatives. Muslims whose loved ones were gunned down by an Australian white supremacist at two mosques last Friday have had their grief compounded by the failure of the authorities to return bodies to families in time for a speedy burial, as required under Islamic custom. Police in Christchurch said only 12 of the 50 victims had been identified and appeared to warn next of kin to brace for further delays. "We are doing all we can to undertake this work as quickly as possible and return the victims to their loved ones," a police statement said. "While identification may seem straightforward the reality is much more complex, particularly in a situation like this." Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern vowed on Tuesday that gunman Brenton Tarrant would face the "full force of the law" as she opened a sombre session of parliament with an evocative "as-salaam alaikum" message of peace to Muslims. But the black-clad Ardern pledged to grieving Kiwis that she would deprive the 28-year-old gunman of the publicity he craved by never uttering his name. "That is why you will never hear me mention his name. He is a terrorist. He is a criminal. He is an extremist. But he will, when I speak, be nameless," she told assembled lawmakers. "I implore you: Speak the names of those who were lost rather than the name of the man who took them." The 38-year-old leader closed by noting that Friday marks a week since the attack, and urged New Zealanders to grieve along with them. "Wa alaikum salaam wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh," she said -- "May the peace, mercy, and blessings of Allah be with you too." Families gather But the forensic delays are casting a cloud over New Zealand's handling of the horrific ordeal. Dozens of relatives of the deceased have already begun arriving from around the world ahead of expected funerals which have already been delayed far beyond the 24 hours after death usually observed under Islam. Peter Elms of New Zealand's immigration department said 65 visas had been granted for overseas family members so far. Christchurch police said post-mortems had been completed on all 50 victims. But only 12 had been "identified to the satisfaction of the coroner" nearly a week after the rampage. Javed Dadabhai, who travelled from Auckland to help bury his cousin, said families and volunteers had been warned of a slow process. "The majority of people still have not had the opportunity to see their family members," he told AFP. Mohamed Safi, 23, whose father Matiullah Safi died in Al Noor mosque, pleaded for officials to let him identify his father and set a date for his burial. "There's nothing they are offering," Safi, an Afghan refugee, said outside a family support centre. "They are just saying they are doing their procedures, they are doing their process. But what process? Why do I not know what you are going through to identify the body... Why am I not contacted as an immediate family member?" In a rambling manifesto, the gunman had said he was motivated partly by a desire to stoke a violent response from Muslims and a religious war between Islam and the West. The Islamic State group, in a message on social media, appeared to encourage retaliatory attacks. "The scenes of killing in the two mosques... incite members of the caliphate living there to avenge their religion and the children of the umma (Muslims) who were are being slaughtered in all corners of the earth with the sponsorship and blessing of the Crusader countries," it said. Gun control Following the mass shooting, Ardern has promised to reform New Zealand laws that allowed the gunman to legally purchase weapons used in the attack. New Zealanders have already begun answering government appeals to hand in their weapons, including John Hart, a farmer in the North Island district of Masterton. Hart said it was an easy decision for him to hand in his semi-automatic and tweeted: "on the farm they are a useful tool in some circumstances, but my convenience doesn't outweigh the risk of misuse. We don't need these in our country." The tweet drew a barrage of derogatory messages to his Facebook account -- most apparently from the US, where the pro-gun lobby is powerful. Ardern has said details of the proposed reform will be announced by next week, but she indicated they could include gun buybacks and a ban on some semi-automatic rifles.

New Zealand: Six bodies of Christchurch massacre victims released to their families after delay

A lone gunman in New Zealand opened fire in Christchurch city this week. The gunman targeted two mosques killing fifty Muslim worshippers praying inside.

The latest mass shooting incident has put the spotlight on white supremacist groups' existence and how it is on the rise in the country which is mostly known for being one of&nbsp;the world's safest and tolerant countries.

According to a report by Associated Press, such hate crimes and Islamophobia have existed in the city long before this incident and now are on the rise. However such groups have&nbsp;relatively been quite in the city since the 2011 earthquake.

"They've been quieter recently but they haven't gone away. They are still here," &nbsp;an Academic Paul Spoonley said, citing a 2016 incident in which pigs' heads were left at the Al Noor mosque, one of the mosques where Australian Brenton Tarrant opened fire on March 15.

According to the report, Muslim communities living in the country have experienced verbal abuse, assaults, hate emails, phone calls but the local authorities have failed to take appropriate measures to tackle the issue.

The country does not even have an official hate crimes database which makes it difficult to measure the trend, the report claimed.

The report further quoted Spoonley saying that the level of hate crimes in New Zealand is low compared with other countries as is the number of white supremacists, but it’s "always a challenge to get people to accept that they exist."

"There’s a reluctance to see equivalence between the risks presented by right-wing extremist groups and radical Islamic and leftist groups," he said.

According to the estimates by Spoonley mentioned in the report, there are 200-250 hardcore white supremacists in New Zealand and about 300-400 people on the edges.

Brenton Tarrant, a 28-year-old Australian&nbsp;started shooting with automatic rifles on March 15. He then drove away to second mosque and started shooting again.

The majority of victims were migrants or refugees from countries such as Pakistan, India, Malaysia, Indonesia, Turkey, Somalia, Afghanistan and Bangladesh. The youngest was a three-year-old boy, born in New Zealand to Somali refugee parents.

In his 73-page manifesto released just before he live-streamed his attack, Tarrant who was captured by police expressed extreme anti-immigrant and anti-Muslim views.&nbsp;

Following Tarrant's arrest, New Zealand's prime minister Jacinda Ardern informed in the parliament that he has been charged with one count of murder and assured and other charges would also follow.

"He will face the full force of the law in New Zealand," she said.

Ardern also has promised reforms to New Zealand gun laws which allowed Tarrant to legally purchase the weapons he used in the attack, including semi-automatic rifles.

And she announced a full review of how the Australian -- an avowed white supremacist -- was able to plan and carry out the attacks in New Zealand under the radar of security services.

(With inputs from news agencies)

A lone gunman in New Zealand opened fire in Christchurch city this week. The gunman targeted two mosques killing fifty Muslim worshippers praying inside. The latest mass shooting incident has put the spotlight on white supremacist groups' existence and how it is on the rise in the country which is mostly known for being one of the world's safest and tolerant countries.

A lone gunman in New Zealand opened fire in Christchurch city this week. The gunman targeted two mosques killing fifty Muslim worshippers praying inside. The latest mass shooting incident has put the spotlight on white supremacist groups' existence and how it is on the rise in the country which is mostly known for being one of the world's safest and tolerant countries. According to a report by Associated Press, such hate crimes and Islamophobia have existed in the city long before this incident and now are on the rise. However such groups have relatively been quite in the city since the 2011 earthquake. "They've been quieter recently but they haven't gone away. They are still here," an Academic Paul Spoonley said, citing a 2016 incident in which pigs' heads were left at the Al Noor mosque, one of the mosques where Australian Brenton Tarrant opened fire on March 15. According to the report, Muslim communities living in the country have experienced verbal abuse, assaults, hate emails, phone calls but the local authorities have failed to take appropriate measures to tackle the issue. The country does not even have an official hate crimes database which makes it difficult to measure the trend, the report claimed. The report further quoted Spoonley saying that the level of hate crimes in New Zealand is low compared with other countries as is the number of white supremacists, but it’s "always a challenge to get people to accept that they exist." "There’s a reluctance to see equivalence between the risks presented by right-wing extremist groups and radical Islamic and leftist groups," he said. According to the estimates by Spoonley mentioned in the report, there are 200-250 hardcore white supremacists in New Zealand and about 300-400 people on the edges. Brenton Tarrant, a 28-year-old Australian started shooting with automatic rifles on March 15. He then drove away to second mosque and started shooting again. The majority of victims were migrants or refugees from countries such as Pakistan, India, Malaysia, Indonesia, Turkey, Somalia, Afghanistan and Bangladesh. The youngest was a three-year-old boy, born in New Zealand to Somali refugee parents. In his 73-page manifesto released just before he live-streamed his attack, Tarrant who was captured by police expressed extreme anti-immigrant and anti-Muslim views. Following Tarrant's arrest, New Zealand's prime minister Jacinda Ardern informed in the parliament that he has been charged with one count of murder and assured and other charges would also follow. "He will face the full force of the law in New Zealand," she said. Ardern also has promised reforms to New Zealand gun laws which allowed Tarrant to legally purchase the weapons he used in the attack, including semi-automatic rifles. And she announced a full review of how the Australian -- an avowed white supremacist -- was able to plan and carry out the attacks in New Zealand under the radar of security services. (With inputs from news agencies)

Hate crimes, white supremacist groups have existed in New Zealand's Christchurch: Report

On the grass outside a church in New Zealand lie 50 pairs of white shoes, each representing one of the lives lost in a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/49-killed-in-christchurch-mosque-attack-one-person-charged-new-zealand-police-203495">mass shooting at two mosques</a> in the community just a few days ago.

The city of Christchurch has come together in mourning following the attack, which saw a lone gunman open fire on worshippers during Friday (March 15) prayers.

"One of the sort of things we were aware of was the tradition of taking off your shoes as you went into worship. And suddenly the thought that there were 49 and 50 pairs of shoes that would never be filled again, was just an image that just kept coming back," said Megan Merles-Mooar, the vicar of All Souls Church.

"It's been a beautiful opportunity for the community to come somewhere to grieve and to mourn," said one of the church's members, adding that people of all faith had come to view the shoes.

As preparations for the first burials were underway on Tuesday (March 19), New Zealand's Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern praised the bravery and courage by mosque worshippers as the gunman massacred their friends and family, saying the nation stood with its grieving Muslim community in this "darkest of days".

On the grass outside a church in New Zealand lie 50 pairs of white shoes, each representing one of the lives lost in a mass shooting at two mosques in the community just a few days ago.

On the grass outside a church in New Zealand lie 50 pairs of white shoes, each representing one of the lives lost in a mass shooting at two mosques in the community just a few days ago. The city of Christchurch has come together in mourning following the attack, which saw a lone gunman open fire on worshippers during Friday (March 15) prayers. "One of the sort of things we were aware of was the tradition of taking off your shoes as you went into worship. And suddenly the thought that there were 49 and 50 pairs of shoes that would never be filled again, was just an image that just kept coming back," said Megan Merles-Mooar, the vicar of All Souls Church. "It's been a beautiful opportunity for the community to come somewhere to grieve and to mourn," said one of the church's members, adding that people of all faith had come to view the shoes. As preparations for the first burials were underway on Tuesday (March 19), New Zealand's Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern praised the bravery and courage by mosque worshippers as the gunman massacred their friends and family, saying the nation stood with its grieving Muslim community in this "darkest of days".

White shoes line church in memory of Christchurch shooting victims

New Zealanders have shown a unique way of mourning and paying respects to those killed in horrifying gun attacks on two <a href="https://www.wionews.com/search?q=Christchurch+shooting">Christchurch mosques</a>.&nbsp;In the&nbsp;shooting, over 50 people lost their lived on March 15.&nbsp;

As the country struggles to respond to the horrific tragedy, people are gathering at different places to stage impromptu performances of the "haka war dance" to show solidarity with a Muslim community shattered by the mass shooting.&nbsp;

They are singing hymns and message of support and performing the intimidating ceremonial dance which begins with fierce chants roughly translated as "I Live! I Die!".&nbsp;

The haka war dance, whose origins lie with the indigenous Maori community, includes&nbsp;thumping of chests, stomping of&nbsp;feet and sticking out tongues.&nbsp;

Also Watch: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/students-perform-traditional-haka-to-mourn-christchurch-shooting-victims-203980">Students perform traditional haka to mourn Christchurch shooting victims</a>

Maori are the indigenous Polynesian people of New Zealand, who participate fully in the country's sporting culture.&nbsp;

They are even well-represented in rugby union, rugby league and netball teams at all levels.&nbsp;

The traditional dance became a global symbol of New Zealand as the battle cry of its national rugby team, the All Blacks.&nbsp;

The New Zealand national rugby union team performs a 'haka', a traditional Maori challenge, before international matches. It is believed that the dance is meant to scare the opponents.&nbsp;

But the haka is not only meant to intimidate, but also to mourn, melding both hostility and beauty into an outpouring of true emotion, said Te Kahautu Maxwell, a professor of Maori at Waikato University.&nbsp;

"Haka is used for death and mourning. It is an integral part of the Maori mourning process. Haka is used to show love and compassion. Haka is used to uplift the spirits of bereaved families," Maxwell said.&nbsp;

New Zealanders have shown a unique way of mourning and paying respects to those killed in horrifying gun attacks on two Christchurch mosques. In the shooting, over 50 people lost their lived on March 15.

New Zealanders have shown a unique way of mourning and paying respects to those killed in horrifying gun attacks on two Christchurch mosques. In the shooting, over 50 people lost their lived on March 15. As the country struggles to respond to the horrific tragedy, people are gathering at different places to stage impromptu performances of the "haka war dance" to show solidarity with a Muslim community shattered by the mass shooting. They are singing hymns and message of support and performing the intimidating ceremonial dance which begins with fierce chants roughly translated as "I Live! I Die!". The haka war dance, whose origins lie with the indigenous Maori community, includes thumping of chests, stomping of feet and sticking out tongues. Also Watch: Students perform traditional haka to mourn Christchurch shooting victims Maori are the indigenous Polynesian people of New Zealand, who participate fully in the country's sporting culture. They are even well-represented in rugby union, rugby league and netball teams at all levels. The traditional dance became a global symbol of New Zealand as the battle cry of its national rugby team, the All Blacks. The New Zealand national rugby union team performs a 'haka', a traditional Maori challenge, before international matches. It is believed that the dance is meant to scare the opponents. But the haka is not only meant to intimidate, but also to mourn, melding both hostility and beauty into an outpouring of true emotion, said Te Kahautu Maxwell, a professor of Maori at Waikato University. "Haka is used for death and mourning. It is an integral part of the Maori mourning process. Haka is used to show love and compassion. Haka is used to uplift the spirits of bereaved families," Maxwell said.

Watch: Man performs emotional 'haka dance' to pay tribute to New Zealand mosque shooting victims