"It's odd for us here. We look out the window and everything looks the same," Dunedin Mayor Dave Cull said at the "I Love Christchurch" vigil.
"But Christchurch is the scene of such misery and devastation. And, with the aftershocks, that trauma and fear continues.
"We are gathered here to be with the people of Christchurch in spirit," Mr Cull said.
"Very few people in that city will not have lost something of some significance. All have an aching gap.
"What we need now most of all is hope. As that hope fades, as it inevitably will, we need to offer our love, help and support."
Bishop of Dunedin, Dr Kelvin Wright, said the earthquake was a natural phenomenon, rather than an act of God.
"What has Christchurch done to deserve this? All I can say, is Christchurch has done nothing to deserve this. What happened to Christchurch is that the forces which built the Southern Alps and pushed the South Island out of the sea were operating as they have always operated."
Sri Lankan Buddhist monk Venerable Maitri said people around the world were thinking of Christchurch residents.
"Sri Lankan and Buddhist people want to send our thoughts to the people there. We wish to join with other people and help the victims in Christchurch," he said.
