Hagley Park in Christchurch will host a national remembrance event today for the victims of the mosque terror attack. Here's how the day will unfold.
Prayers at Hagley Park. Photo: RNZ / Cole Eastham-Farrelly
The remembrance service - Ko Tātou, Tātou: We Are One - begins at 10am and will be livestreamed and broadcast live by RNZ, TVNZ and other broadcasters.
The Prime Minister will be in attendance and will give an address. She will be joined by the Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Australian leader of the opposition Bill Shorten, as part of a group of 59 foreign dignitaries.
Christchurch Mayor Lianne Dalziel will give the opening remarks and will be followed by a waiata by Marlon Williams.
The names of the victims will be read out by members of the Muslim community and an address given by a survivor of the attack, Farid Ahmed. The president of the Federation of Islamic Associations of New Zealand, Mustafa Farouk, and the president of the Muslim Association of Canterbury will both give remarks.
The second musical performance will be performed by Yusuf Islam, formerly known as Cat Stevens, who will be followed by Hollie Smith and Teeks.
The event is scheduled to run for just over an hour and RNZ will have a reflection on the coverage with Susie Ferguson, Shannon Haunui-Thompson, Guled Mire and other guests.
In Auckland, the event will be live streamed at Eden Park. The venue opens at 9am and will remain open to the public until 4pm. Police advise there will be heavy traffic and congestion in the area.
The afternoon programme is open to all Aucklanders and begins with a call to prayer at 1.35pm.
The call to prayer will be followed by a programme of remembrance at 2.30pm. The line-up for that includes: Dave Dobbyn, Lizzie Marvelly and children from Islamic schools across Auckland singing the national anthem, and a haka and waiata from children of Kowhai Intermediate. Guest speakers include Muslim rugby player, Sonny-Bill Williams.
For more details.
There will also be live streams of the Christchurch event here:
- Hamilton at Claudelands Arena
- Tauranga at Trustpower Baypark Arena
- Palmerston North in the events quadrant at The Square.
- Wellington at Waitangi Park
- Blenheim at the ASB Theatre auditorium
- Dunedin at the Town Hall
Some events in smaller centres have been cancelled due to a lack of police staff for security.
Graphic: Christchurch City Council
Christchurch City Council warns people should factor in extra travel time for their Friday plans with road closures going into place at 2am.
It warned the closures will not only affect cars, but pedestrians and cyclists too in some parts of the central city.
People planning on attending the service are advised by the council to go on public transport, foot, by bike, or scooter rather than drive. It also advised people to not bring bags or buggies to the event which will hold up security checks.
Buses will be free throughout Christchurch on Friday and the timetable will operate as normal, apart from detours in the Hagley Park area. Cycle stands and scooter parking zones will be available at North Hagley Park, next to the golf course.