The national remembrance service, Ko tātou, tātou - we are one, starts at 10am in North Hagley Park, Christchurch.
The service is being jointly led by the city of Christchurch, the government, Ngāi Tahu and the Muslim community. It is being broadcast on RNZ and TVNZ 1.
Yusuf Islam/Cat Stevens, Marlon Williams, Maisey Rika, Hollie Smith and Teeks are among the artists to perform at the remembrance service.
The service will be shown on big screens at simultaneous events in Auckland, Wellington and Dunedin and some regional centres.
In Auckland, the event will be shown on a large screen at Eden Park. Afternoon prayers and a remembrance programme will also take place there. For the latest on transport information see the Auckland Transport site.
In Wellington, the service will be screened at Waitangi Park, on the waterfront. Gates open at 8.30am at the only entrance point, via the Barnett Street car park beside Te Papa.
The Dunedin event will begin at 9.30am at the Dunedin Town Hall, where the service will be shown live on big screens from 10am.
The service is being shown in regional centres including:
- Marlborough: Blenheim's ASB Theatre, Marlborough District Library in Blenheim and the Picton Library.
- Hamilton: the event will be shown on a big screen in the Claudelands Arena.
- Tauranga / Mount Maunganui: The event will be broadcast at Trustpower Baypark Arena from 9.45am, doors opening 8.30am
- Palmerston North: the service will be livestreamed in the events quadrant of the Square.
- Whanganui: the service will be shown in the Davis Lecture Theatre, Whanganui Regional Museum, with people invited to gather from 9.30am
- Far North: the Turner Centre in Kerikeri will host a live broadcast. Other events in the region have been cancelled.
Several regional events have been cancelled on police advice, including at Tūrangawaewae Marae in Ngāruawāhia; Gore; Queenstown; Wanaka; and six of the seven events planned for the Far North.
Gore district mayor Tracy Hicks said police told them resources were too stretched.
Information for people attending the service in North Hagley Park, Christchurch:
- Allow plenty of time to travel to the event, with large numbers expected to attend, and many roads around North Hagley Park closed to all traffic and pedestrians.
- Environment Canterbury is providing free public transport across the Metro network, including the Diamond Harbour ferry.
- No dogs will be allowed in the vicinity of the service site on Friday from 9am-2pm. This includes small dogs, and dogs on a leash.
- If possible, please avoid bringing bags to the event to avoid potential delays in getting into the event.
- Parking in Christchurch's central city is expected to be limited.
- Mobility carparking for vehicles displaying a mobility pass will be at the Hagley Oval carpark off Riccarton Avenue.
- Public access into North Hagley Park is only on foot, by bicycle or scooter; from Harper Avenue and Deans Avenue; from Riccarton Avenue through the Botanic Gardens; from Rolleston Avenue, via the gate by Canterbury Museum and the flower tribute wall) through the Botanic Gardens. The Armagh Street Bridge will be closed.
Christchurch road closures from 2am Friday to late Friday afternoon:
- Harper Avenue and Deans Avenue - road closed to vehicles but pedestrian access is available into Hagley Park.
- Riccarton Avenue will be closed to vehicles from Christchurch Hospital to Deans Avenue but there will be pedestrian access into Hagley Park.
- Park Terrace/Rolleston Avenue will be closed to all vehicles, pedestrians, bikes and e-scooters from Bealey Avenue to Gloucester Street.
- The Armagh Street Bridge will be closed to all vehicles, pedestrians, bikes and e-scooters. There will be no access via the bridge to Hagley Park.
- Kilmore Street, Peterborough Street, and Salisbury Street will be closed from Park Terrace to Montreal Street to all vehicles, pedestrians, bikes and e-scooters.
- Kilmore Street from Durham Street to Montreal Street will be closed to vehicles.
- Park Terrace from Cranmer Square, via Chester Street or Armagh Street, will be closed to all vehicles, pedestrians, bikes and e-scooters.
- Armagh Street, from 50 metres east of Park Terrace/Rolleston Avenue will be closed to vehicles.
- Rolleston Avenue from Gloucester Street to Cashel Street will be closed to vehicles but pedestrian access will still be available.
- Gloucester Street, Worcester Street, and Hereford Street will be closed for 50 metres from Rolleston Avenue.
Map of road closures and public access points to North Hagley Park:
Graphic: Christchurch City Council