A civic memorial service has been held in Christchurch to commemorate the 185 people that died during the February 2011 earthquake.
Governor-General Sir Jerry Mateparae spoke at the service, which marked the fifth anniversary of the 6.3-magnitude quake which struck at 12.51pm and devastated large parts of the South Island city.
He passed on the "warm good wishes" of the Queen and said her thoughts were with the people of Christchurch and New Zealand as they gathered to remember the disaster.
Sir Jerry said: "Noting the recent severe aftershock, His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales wrote to the Mayor of Christchurch to express his concerned good wishes and went on to say 'I know the people of Christchurch are incredibly resilient, and I am sure that you will continue to draw comfort from the terrific community spirit and kindness you have shown for each other these past years. You are all very much in our special thoughts and prayers at this time'."
Sir Jerry was speaking at the Archery Lawn in the Christchurch Botanic Gardens. He talked about the ongoing struggle for the people of Christchurch, and paid tribute to those who lost their lives and those who responded to the devastation in the days, weeks and months that followed.
"There have been thousands of earthquakes in Canterbury since 2010. However, today we are commemorating the earthquake of February 22, 2011. In doing so, we are commemorating a day when everything changed for the people of this region and particularly Christchurch - a day of acute sadness, a day of devastation and loss."
But Sir Jerry also spoke about the progress made in the city since the quake, and its bright future.
" ... a new and stronger city is taking shape. Each time I come to Christchurch I have been able to witness some of the change and I look forward to seeing what is yet to come."
He ended his speech by, on behalf of all New Zealanders, wishing the people of Christchurch "all the very best" as they continue on their journey.
Today I was in Christchurch as the city paused to remember the 185 who died in the earthquake of 22 February, 2011.https://t.co/auMykvQMfW
— John Key (@johnkeypm) February 21, 2016
Prime Minister John Key joined a number of dignitaries at the commemoration service. He told Newstalk ZB's Chris Lynch beforehand that the country was behind Canterbury - and shared the hopes and aspirations for Christchurch.
Mr Key acknowledged the frustrations residents of the city faced, but said the Government was genuinely doing everything it could to try to get those issues resolved.
Christchurch mayor Lianne Dalziel also spoke to those gathered, and a bible reading and song followed. All 185 names were then read out before a minute's silence was held.
The Peace Bell was rung five times and representatives and dignitaries laid wreaths. Bereaved family members also laid their own floral tributes.
About 400 people, including school children, gathered at a site alongside the Avon River. A minute of silence was held at the Medway St site at exactly 12.51. It was followed by a haka and solo piper.
Avon-Otakaro network co-chair Evan Smith said involving children in the commemorations was hugely important, as many had been badly affected by the quake and were still suffering. Mr Smith said acknowledging today was an important part of the healing process.
The cricket was forgotten for a moment at Hagley Oval as the crowd stood as one, along with the New Zealand and Australian players, at 12.51pm. On the replay screen, a simple message read: ''In memory of the 185 people who lost their lives in the Canterbury earthquake 22 February 2011". The players of both teams wore black armbands.
The commemorative River of Flowers event was opened, giving people the chance to throw flowers into the Avon River from 8am to 8pm at 19 official sites around Christchurch.
One site, at the Places of Tranquillity Gardens in the central city, was just metres away from the PGC building site where 18 people lost their lives. Fresh flowers were laid there. Tears flowed at Christchurch's CTV building site where 115 people lost their lives.
Across the road at the white chair memorial, a red flower was placed on each of the 185 chairs and members of the public also put flowers there.
Newstalk ZB reporter Lesley Murdoch was this morning talking to locals around Christchurch.
New Brighton community leader Tim Sintes told Ms Murdoch that before the earthquake there were about 16,000 people living in the area. Now there were only about 6000 left.
Mr Sintes said it was "extremely hard" to see the amount of progress in New Brighton compared with other areas of Canterbury and Christchurch. "We need a sign to show money is being spent in the area ... so people can see the council cares."
The Governor-General's speech
Rau rangatira ma e huihui nei,
I tenei ra whakamaumahara, tena koutou,
Ngaitahu tangata -- tena koutou, Te Maire, (Te Maire Tau)
Ka mihi ahau ki a koe mo te whakamoemiti.
Tenei aku mihi mahana ki a koutou,
Kia ora huihui tatou katoa.
Distinguished people gathered,
On this day of commemoration, greetings,
Ngai Tahu people, Te Maire,
Thank you for the blessing.
My warm greetings to us all gathered.
I specifically acknowledge: The Rt Hon John Key, Prime Minister of New Zealand; Hon Gerry Brownlee, Minister for Canterbury Earthquake Recovery; Members of the Diplomatic Corps; Andrew Little, Leader of the Opposition; Members of Parliament; Her Worship Hon Lianne Dalziel, His Worship Kelvin Coe, and His Worship David Ayers, Mayors of Christchurch, Selwyn District Council and Waimakariri District Council respectively; Father Rick Loughnan, Administrator of the Catholic Diocese of Christchurch; and people who were bereaved or suffered injury during the earthquake on the 22nd of February 2011 - tena koutou katoa.
Janine and I are honoured to be here today to share this significant commemorative milestone for the people of Christchurch - for the people of New Zealand.
It is also my honour to pass Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II's warm good wishes to the people of Christchurch, and to say that Her Majesty's thoughts are with us as we gather to commemorate this sad anniversary.
Noting the recent severe aftershock, His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales wrote to the Mayor of Christchurch to express his concerned good wishes and went on to say "I know the people of Christchurch are incredibly resilient, and I am sure that you will continue to draw comfort from the terrific community spirit and kindness you have shown for each other these past years. You are all very much in our special thoughts and prayers at this time."
The past five years have been a journey of sorts for us all. Arriving here today is, I appreciate, a difficult time for many people in Christchurch and the wider Canterbury region. This is particularly so given the 5.7 magnitude earthquake just over a week ago that reminded us all that Christchurch - and indeed much of New Zealand - is prone to seismic activity.
Tarawera, Napier, Inangahua, Edgecumbe and Christchurch all have a place in our nation's story.
There have been thousands of earthquakes in Canterbury since 2010. However, today, we are commemorating the earthquake of 22 February 2011. In doing so, we are commemorating a day when everything changed for the people of this region and particularly Christchurch -- a day of acute sadness, a day of devastation and loss.
When my predecessor, Sir Anand Satyanand, spoke at the Memorial Service on the 18th of March 2011 he mentioned the messages he had received from world leaders, including Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II -- the sense of shock, the expressions of heartfelt condolences and the sentiment that the tragedy was not New Zealand's alone because citizens from many countries had lost their lives or been injured.
Today, those sentiments resonate as we remember the 185 people whose lives were cut tragically short. We acknowledge that their loss has left a gap in the lives of their family and friends; and in their schools, their workplaces and their communities.
We recall the ordered streets and gracious buildings of a city renowned for its style and substance. We recall how, in an instant, that physical landscape was shattered.
We recall how dust and the sound of sirens filled the air. We recall how liquefaction spilled up into houses, streets and lives. We recall the looks on peoples' faces as they sought out loved ones, as they sought out refuge.
We remember how television and radio - and social media -- meant that the whole world was able to witness the devastation, the dazed survivors and frantic rescue efforts. We remember how those same media mobilised relief efforts from near and far.
In the weeks and years that followed, Christchurch people were faced with cordons and demolitions - and the huge challenge of rebuilding their city. At the same time the psychological impact of trauma was taking its toll.
I appreciate that for many, the intervening years have been an exhausting struggle. There has been financial hardship, agonising stress, and years of frustration. My hope is that the end of this period is fast approaching, and that these people will be able to carry on with their lives with renewed optimism and energy.
Meanwhile, a new and stronger city is taking shape. Each time I come to Christchurch I have been able to witness some of the change and I look forward to seeing what is yet to come.
Last year I had the opportunity to acknowledge and thank members of our emergency services and medical staff. Five years ago today, they put their own lives in significant danger in order to rescue others.
Today I want to take this opportunity to acknowledge the unsung and countless acts of kindness, generosity and support offered by Cantabrians to their neighbours and fellow citizens, on that day, and subsequently.
I also want to acknowledge the creativity and commitment of those who have worked hard to make Christchurch a prosperous, lively city again. I thank the people who have helped those in need, those working to repair infrastructure, the entrepreneurs who are starting up businesses or developing new projects, the Gap Filler live-wires who used arts and entertainment to lure people out into the streets again to enjoy life and gain respite from their worries.
There is still some way to go until Christchurch is truly reborn again. There is some time to go before there will be a generation of Cantabrians who do not have the earthquake or its aftermath as part of their memory.
A Memorial to those who died will be a permanent reminder. Parents and grandparents will bear witness to the shock and despair, and how life eventually moved on, over time, towards a new normality. And they will celebrate the rebirth of a city - a wa kainga - a place that they love and a place to call home.
On behalf of your fellow New Zealanders, I wish you all the very best as you continue on your journey.
Kia ora, kia kaha, kia manawanui, huihui tatou katoa.
