Christchurch's weekend to remember

Tens of thousands of people have packed into North Hagley Park in a huge show of unity to remember the victims of the mosque shootings and support those who have lost loved ones.

Sunday's highly emotional Remember Those Who Lost Their Lives 15-3-19 event drew about 40,000 people, with the poignant occasion opening with a call to prayer.

The names of the 50 victims were then read out before a minute's silence.

The Catholic Bishop of Christchurch also delivered a prayer. 

A special gathering of support has been held in North Hagley Park on Sunday evening.

The empowering event featured a range of speakers, including student leaders from the University of Canterbury and Cashmere High School, along with several performances from young singers and a kapa haka group.

The UC Muslim Students Association President reminded the crowd that “we are all in the same waka”.

Opera singers delivered a powerful performance of You’ll Never Walk Alone before the crowd joined in to sing the national anthem.

The gathering followed Saturday's Christchurch March for Love, when about 5000 people of all ages gathered in the park before pouring down Rolleston Avenue to view the floral tributes.  

Mayor Lianne Dalziel says the huge turnout for both of the weekend's community-led gatherings shows how deeply the mosque shootings have touched the communities in Christchurch and beyond.

“The massive outpouring of support for the Muslim community and the way people have come together in the wake of this tragedy is something I will never forget,” the Mayor says.

“We’ve shown the world this weekend that Christchurch is a city that cares and stands united, that we are a city that will not tolerate hatred and violence.

“The Christchurch National Remembrance Service, which will be held at 10am on Friday, will be a chance for us to come together as a city and as a nation,” the Mayor says.

The organiser of Sunday's event, Scott Esdaile, says he wants the community event to show people around the world that Christchurch residents stand beside their Muslim friends and neighbours.

“They were our brothers and sisters, they were Cantabrians and New Zealanders and we want to show our love and solidarity,” he says.

On Saturday morning, thousands of people joined in the Christchurch March for Love organised by three St Andrew’s College students, Manaia Butler, Ella Clearwater and Marshall Setu.

Manaia says the aim of the march has been to counter fear and hatred with love for people, the environment, and Christchurch. 

“We just really wanted to bring the city together and pay our respects and show a bit of optimism for the future. We wanted to send a message to the world of the strength and resilience that Christchurch has,” she says.

The March for Love in Christchurch has drawn about 5000 people.