New Zealand lowered its flags on Monday as it marked the 10th anniversary of the Christchurch earthquake that killed 185 people.
Hundreds of people attended an outdoor service in Christchurch, which continues to rebuild from the magnitude 6.3 quake that destroyed much of the downtown area.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said it was important to remember that 87 of the victims were foreigners and many of their families could not be there because of coronavirus travel restrictions.
"Our flags fly at half-mast for them today too," she said.
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Christchurch: then and now
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The damaged Christchurch Cathedral on February 24, 2011, two days after a deadly 6.3 magnitude earthquake rocked New Zealand's second city. AFP -
The cathedral nearly 10 years later, under repair in Christchurch on February 17, 2021. AFP -
The badly damaged Knox Presbyterian Church surrounded by rubble on February 23, 2011, a day after Christchurch was rocked by a 6.3 magnitude earthquake. AFP -
Knox Presbyterian Church rebuilt nearly 10 years later on February 17, 2021. AFP -
Cyclists riding past a damaged building in the Redcliffs suburb of Christchurch on February 23, 2011, a day after a deadly 6.3 magnitude earthquake rocked the city. AFP -
The same location in Redcliffs suburb of Christchurch nearly 10 years later where new retail buildings occupy the site on February 17, 2021. AFP -
Vehicles trapped in a hole in the road on February 23, 2011, a day after a deadly 6.3 magnitude earthquake rocked the city of Christchurch. AFP -
The same road nearly 10 years later on February 17, 2021. AFP -
Rescuers standing at the smoking ruins of the Canterbury TV (CTV) building which collapsed during the 6.3 magnitude earthquake in Christchurch, February 24, 2011. AFP -
The site where the Canterbury TV (CTV) building collapsed nearly 10 years later on February 17, 2021. AFP -
A note displayed outside St Mary's Church in Papanui as demolition teams prepare to knock down the remains of the bell tower in Christchurch on February 28, 2011, seven days after a 6.3 magnitude earthquake rocked the city. AFP -
The same view outside St Mary's Church in Papanui nearly 10 years later of the new church built in its place on February 17, 2021. AFP -
A rock on top of a boat outside a house in the Redcliffs suburb of Christchurch a day after a deadly 6.3 magnitude earthquake rocked the city, February 23, 2011. AFP -
The same view of Redcliffs suburb of Christchurch nearly 10 years later on February 17, 2021. AFP -
A crane lifting workers up to inspect the damaged Christchurch Cathedral on February 24, 2011, two days after a deadly 6.3 magnitude earthquake rocked New Zealand's second largest city. AFP -
The cathedral being repaired nearly 10 years after the quake in Christchurch on February 17, 2021. AFP -
Badly damaged structures along Fitzgerald Avenue surrounded in rubble in Christchurch on February 23, 2011, a day after the city was rocked by a 6.3 magnitude earthquake. AFP -
The same view along Fitzgerald Avenue nearly 10 years later on February 17, 2021. AFP -
Cars crushed under fallen rubble on Manchester Street two days after a deadly 6.3 magnitude earthquake in Christchurch, February 24, 2011. AFP -
Manchester Street nearly 10 years later on February 17, 2021. AFP -
St. Lukes Anglican Church on February 23, 2011, a day after it was badly damaged when Christchurch was rocked by a 6.3 magnitude earthquake. AFP -
The site where St. Lukes Anglican Church was, now empty, nearly 10 years after the quake on February 17, 2021. AFP -
A toppled statue of John Robert Godley in Cathedral Square on February 24, 2011, two days after a deadly 6.3 magnitude earthquake rocked Christchurch. AFP -
The statue of John Robert Godley now resurrected and repaired statue nearly 10 years later on February 17, 2021. AFP -
Rescuers working at the site of the collapsed Pyne Gould Corp (PGC) building in Christchurch on February 23, 2011, a day after a 6.3 magnitude earthquake hit the city. AFP -
The same site nearly 10 years later on February 17, 2021. AFP
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Christchurch Mayor Lianne Dalziel talked about the 28 Japanese citizens who died, the largest number of victims from any country outside of New Zealand.
“I especially wanted to mention all the Japanese family members who I last year met in Japan and who so wanted to be here,” she said. "We are forever connected by this tragedy and we do not forget you even when we are apart. You are with us in spirit.”
Another person who spoke at the service was Maan Alkaisi, a university professor who has spent years trying to get authorities to press criminal charges against those who designed the CTV building which collapsed during the quake, killing 115 people including his wife, Maysoon Abbas.
A review after the quake found the building's design was flawed and it should never have been approved.
“Today commemorates 10 years of injustice and mistreatment," Mr Alkaisi said. "Today reminds us of our responsibility to make sure we learn from this tragic experience and honour those lovely people we lost by ensuring their dreams are kept alive, by ensuring this will not happen again.”
The memorial service was held on the banks of the Avon River, and people observed a moment’s silence at 12.51pm, the moment the quake struck in 2011. Emergency service workers and others took turns reading out the names of the victims.
In a touching moment, Ms Dalziel read out a message from Bob Parker, who was the mayor at the time of the quake and became an internationally known face of the tragedy. He recently suffered a stroke and attended the service in a wheelchair.
Ms Ardern said the quake had affected people in many ways, and daily reminders including aftershocks and the fractured landscape had made the recovery harder.
“Ten years on there will be people still living their daily lives with the long shadow of that day,” she said.
“But as we look ahead to the coming decade, I see hope and energy and optimism," she said. “And I see Christchurch taking its rightful place amongst New Zealand’s best and brightest cities."
