About 100 people attended the dedication of the Lampedusa Cross at the Mornington Methodist Church.
The cross was made by carpenter Francesco Tuccio on the island of Lampedusa, Italy, who was moved by the plight of refugees who perished at sea, and sees them as a symbolic protest.
Mr Tuccio was not at the dedication, but has said he wanted "everyone to know about the problems and the suffering of these people, to bring the message to the outside world."
"I decided not to polish the wood, instead leaving it as it is — a wretched witness, ruined by so much pain."
It is believed to be the first Lampedusa Cross commissioned by a New Zealand organisation.
Upon its arrival in New Zealand, the cross was set in a base made by Dunedin craftsman William Torr.
During the dedication ceremony, readings about compassion were spoken from both the Bible and the Koran.
