Mourners in New Zealand gathered in their hundreds to say a final farewell to the triplets killed in the fire that ripped through a nursery in Qatar last month.

Willsher, Jackson and Lillie Weekes were among 19 people who lost their lives.

At their funeral in Wellington their father Martin said they died on what was their due date of birth two years earlier.

SOUNDBITE: MARTIN WEEKES, FATHER OF TRIPLETS, SAYING (English):

"On the 28th of May 2012, what would have been their birthday if they had not already been so impatient to enter the world, they departed together."

At the funeral service in Wellington he spoke of the feelings he and his wife Jane had for their children.

SOUNDBITE: MARTIN WEEKES, FATHER OF TRIPLETS, SAYING (English):

"One of Jane's favourite quotes is: 'A mother's love is not divided amongst her children but is multiplied with each child.'"

The triplets were due to be buried in a private ceremony.

Qatar authorities are investigating the blaze after reports that security staff reacted slowly and chaotically to the fire.

The nursery was on the first floor of the mall, in a hallway accessible only through a small passage with no fire exit.

Paul Chapman, Reuters