National Christchurch Memorial Service

This Friday in North Hagley Park, 18 March, from 10.30am – 3.30pm.

The memorial service will take place from midday. Full programme of the National Christchurch Memorial Service [PDF 1.4 MB] [Scoop copy: christchurchorderofservice17mar22.pdf]

The National Christchurch Memorial Service offers people the opportunity to reflect on recent events and remember the loss of New Zealanders and citizens of other countries. International guests will also be able to pay their respects for citizens from their countries who lost their lives.

The service will remind Christchurch of the support it has from the rest of the country and the international community. It also offers the opportunity to thank all those involved in the rescue response and acknowledge the efforts of all others who have contributed in working towards the recovery.

HRH Prince William, Prime Minister John Key, the Governor-General Sir Anand Satyanand, the Mayor of Christchurch Bob Parker and other dignitaries will also be at the service to pay special tribute to the people of Christchurch and all families who have lost loved ones.

The service will be broadcast live on TV One and TV3 from 12 noon and on Radio NZ from Morning Report onwards. This offers not only the people of Christchurch, but New Zealand and international audiences the chance to pause, reflect and grieve in the way they need to.

What will be included in the Memorial Service?

Friday 18 March 2011 – North Hagley Park

People are asked to be gathered at Hagley Park by midday (view PDF map of Hagley Park [Scoop copy: hagleyparkmemorialday.pdf]). Prior to the formal service, there will be musical tributes including performances by well known Kiwi artists Dave Dobbyn, Dame Malvina Major and Hayley Westenra, who will sing the national anthem.

The Memorial Service officially begins at 12.30pm. The service will be led by the Very Reverend Peter Beck, Dean of ChristChurch Cathedral and will include other city church leaders. It will be opened by Ngāi Tūāhuriri and include tributes from HRH Prince William, the Mayor of Christchurch, the Governor-General, the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition. Music, prayers and readings will also be part of the service.

Musical tributes begin at 10.30am.

You are asked to be at the service at 12 noon.

The official Memorial Service begins at 12.30pm

The service will include a two minute silence, at 12.51pm.

The Memorial Service finishes at approximately 2.30pm.

Music will follow the service and conclude at 3.30pm

For the full service programme see this Friday’s Press.

Please respect that this is a smokefree and alcohol free event.

How do I get there?

Arriving to the memorial service by foot, bus or bike will ease traffic congestion, however please still allow ample travel time.

Bike or walk

Limited bike racks will be provided at the end of the main Hagley Park bike path near Lake Albert. You will need to bring your own lock.

It is best to walk into North Hagley Park from Harper Avenue or from Riccarton Avenue. Park Terrace and Salisbury Street walking bridge will be closed. The Armagh Street bridge will be closed to vehicles and pedestrians.

Buses

Free buses will be running on the day, with as many running as possible. Buses will stop at two key stops – one on Bealey Avenue and Hagley Avenue, and will also leave from here (View PDF map of Hagley Park [Scoop copy: hagleyparkmemorialday.pdf]). For timetable and route information about Friday’s bus services, please refer to www.metroinfo.co.nz or call 03 3668855.

If you need to come to the service by car

Vehicle Parking

Free, limited car parking is being organised at two car parks in Hagley Park.(View PDF map of designated parking areas [Scoop copy: parkinghagleyparkmemorialday.pdf]). The car parks will be open from 9am and are situated at:

• North Hagley Park – enter off Riccarton Avenue (left turn only, heading east)

• South Hagley Park – enter from Deans Avenue (left turn only, heading south)

The usual car parking area for North Hagley Park events is NOT available (this is where the memorial service will take place).

Mobility car parking

People with mobility restrictions will be directed to reserved car parking within the North Hagley car park (off Riccarton Ave).

Road closures

There are no road closures in addition to the cordons already in place. Harper Avenue will be made narrower but there will still be two way traffic. With this in mind, please allow plenty of travelling time.

Pick-up – drop-off

If you are dropping off and picking up family and friends, please consider carefully your agreed meeting place. Obviously you will not be able to meet within the Red Zone area, and if meeting too close to the memorial venue, you may have difficulty given the expected volume of vehicle and pedestrian traffic.

Taxis

There will be a drop-off and pick-up taxi area on Harper Avenue around the Fendalton Road intersection.

What Do I Take?

The National Christchurch Memorial Service is a community and family event. Please respect that a total alcohol ban is in place, which will be enforced by the police if necessary.

• Do bring a picnic lunch, drinking water and other non-alcoholic refreshments. Limited water will be provided. Please also bring your own bottle or cup where possible.

• Do bring rugs and cushions to sit on.

• Do bring items to protect against the weather. The memorial service will go ahead rain or shine, so come prepared with an umbrella for sun or rain protection, sunscreen, poncho and/or hat.

• Do bring a rubbish bag with you and take your rubbish home. Volunteer services are stretched making it difficult to clear the park of litter quickly.

• Please do not bring alcohol.

What will be on site?

Only limited toilet facilities will be provided. These toilets will be in the form of a movable toilet block, different to what is suitable for the communities in need. Please be advised that we may not be able to provide the usual number of toilets for such an event.

Limited litter bins will be provided. But please take your rubbish with you when you go.

A large police and security presence will be on site. High-visibility police patrols around the rest of the city will continue as normal.

Support from social agencies will be available at the park on the day, based at the two information areas.

St John will be on-site to provide first aid assistance if required.

How Do I Get Home?

Firstly, please be patient and take care crossing roads as you leave the park.

Homeward Buses

For timetable and route information about Friday bus services for your homeward journey, visit www.metroinfo.co.nz or call 03 3668855.

Homeward bound buses will leave from two existing stops:

1. On Bealey Avenue between Montreal Street and Durham Street for buses going to eastern or northern suburbs.

2. On Hagley Avenue across the road from Hagley Community College for buses heading to the western or southern suburbs.

Shuttles will run between these two stops.

We ask that you be patient, considerate and bring everything you need to this event.

ENDS

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