The Public Attends Chch Earthquake Memorial Service

It’s been four years since the 22 Feb 2011 Christchurch earthquake, and the city is undergoing gradual rebuild. In memorable February, the Christchurch City Council has hosted many big events in order to encourage people, including Cricket World Cup opening ceremony, the US-renowned rock band Foo Fighters’ concert and so forth. On 22nd February, Christchurch City Council held the memorial service of the fourth anniversary of the 22nd February quake at Hagley Park.

Distinguished guests included New Zealand Customs Minister Hon. Nicky Wagner, Christchurch Mayor Hon. Lianne Dalziel, Kaiwhakahaere Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu representative Sir Mark Soloman, Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Canterbury police district commander Superintendent Gary Knowles. Buddha's Light International Association (BLIA) South Island NZ vice presidents Louisa Kuo, James Low, Advisor Sandy Liao and director Danny Chen also attended the service. New Zealand Police, Fire Department, Ministry of Health and hundreds of people were present.

The service was officiated by Acting Dean of ChristChurch Cathedral Venerable Nick Mountfort. Minister Hon. Nicky Wagner and Mayor Hon. Lianne Dalziel also addressed the service. Ten religious and ethnic representatives in Christchurch recited the memorial poem "Act of Remembrance". Director of BLIA South Island NZ Danny Chen, on behalf of Buddhism, recited the poem. The National Party, Labour Party, Green Party, Christchurch City Council, NZ Police, the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and representatives at the forefront of disaster relief all laid wreaths to commemorate the victims. 185 victims’ names were read by their own national representatives, followed by Thai venerable’ tolling the peace bells. At 12.51pm, the time when the earthquake struck the city four years ago, Venerable Nick led a one-minute silence.

In the end, Father Rick Loughnan, Vicar General Catholic Diocese of Christchurch
gave a blessing to the public, following the NZ Police’s performance “You Raise Me Up”. After the hour-long service was concluded, the public left in a peaceful atmosphere. Some went to the riverside to place floral tributes in commemoration. Others stayed to enjoy the brass band performance.