Christchurch people gather together to remember
Thousands gathered at midday in Hagley Park in Christchurch to remember the devastating February 22, 2011 earthquake.
Thousands gathered at midday in Hagley Park in Christchurch to remember the devastating February 22, 2011 earthquake.
Civic leaders, the Governor General Sir Jerry Mataparae, United States secretary general Hillary Clinton and others offered condolences.
Sir Jerry also read a message from the Prince of Wales, Charles.
People comforted each other as they listened to readings from local people who rose to prominence during the immediate aftermath of the earthquake.
Mayor Bob Parker spoke about the strong unity of purpose across the city.
Others spoke of moving ahead after pausing to remember and grieve.
February 22, 2011 was just one of more than 10,000 earthquakes since the first one in September 4, 2010.
The other major ones were on Boxing Day 2011 and June 13, 2011. There have more than 10,000 earthquakes recorded since September 2010.
Christchurch remains a city divided.
As people put these memories behind them the extraordinary damage is still visible in eastern and hillside suburbs compared with the relatively undamaged western, southern and northern suburbs.
Chris Hutching
Wed, 22 Feb 2012
Wed, 22 Feb 2012
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Christchurch people gather together to remember
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