Thousands of people have gathered in Christchurch’s Hagley Park to mark the first anniversary of the earthquake which devastated the city exactly a year ago last Wednesday.
Flags in the city flew at half-mast in commemoration of the 185 people who lost their lives following the magnitude 6.3 quake, which struck at 12.51pm last February 22.
The civic memorial service opened with a Maori blessing, and the national anthem performed by the army band.
Governor-General Sir Jerry Mateparae, Prime Minister John Key, MPs and ambassadors are among the dignitaries attending the service.
Christchurch Mayor Bob Parker told those gathered at the event that the city had been irrevocably changed.
“We can never be the same again,” he said.
However, the city now has new links with all those countries and people who came to Christchurch’s aid in the wake of the disaster. We will never forget the things that you have done for us.”
