Civic Memorial Service
There will be a Civic Memorial Service for the community of Christchurch on Friday 22 February 2013 in Latimer Square at noon. This is a public event. The Service, co-hosted by the ChristChurch Anglican Cathedral, will include one minute's silence at 12.51pm.
The service is for the full Christchurch community and is a public event.
Please Note: Seating will not be provided at this event. If you wish to sit, please bring your own.
The Order of Service is now available. A map of Latimer Square is now available.
Anyone who is unable to attend the Commemorative Service may wish to tune into Newstalk ZB 100.1FM for a live radio broadcast on Friday afternoon from 12:15 until 1pm. Alternatively you can watch the full service live on One News.
Other Community Events on February 22 around Christchurch
Tell us what you are organising and we'll post it here. For more information call the Council Customer Centre on 941 8999 or email us at info@ccc.govt.nz
River of Flowers: co-ordinated by Healthy Christchurch and Avon Otakaro Network. From 8am to 8pm on 22 February 2013, people can drop flowers into Canterbury's waterways (Avon and Heathcote rivers and the Estuary). From 12.30 to 1.30pm, local community groups will host sites, and encourage people to leave messages on a Tree of Hope. At 12:51 two minutes silence will be held.
Gap Filler: Join Gap Filler in the Pallet Pavilion. On this anniversary, Gap Filler seeks to bring people together in one of the most innovative spaces in Christchurch, to remember what has happened, but also to look towards the future and celebrate our resilience. No speeches, just cake, music and community. Throughout the day of Friday 22 February, visitors to the space will be invited to write their thoughts on pieces of paper and pin them to the pallet walls. In the evening, all the tables will be put together to form one long table to encourage people to come together on this day in the spirit of community. There will be delicious cakes to share thanks to local baking whizz and Gap Filler supporter, Anna Worthington (By Anna cakes) and live music will fill the space from 7pm. A small bar and cafe is open from 6pm - 10:30pm as are the two on-site food caravans.
Riccarton Park Raceway will observe one minute's silence prior at 12.51pm and not start their first race until after that. The Jo Giles memorial plaque will be shown on trackside during the one minute's silence.
FAQs about the February 2013 Commemorative Service
Is there a public memorial service for the second year anniversary of 22 February 2011?
Yes, there is. There will be a civic memorial service held in Latimer Square commencing at 12 noon. It is the only civic event to commemorate the second anniversary of the earthquake. Other private individuals, groups and communities will also hold various events. Some of these will be listed on this webpage.
Is Friday 22 February 2013 going to be a public holiday?
No. Friday 22 February 2013 is a normal working day. The memorial service is timed to coincide with the lunch-hour to allow people to attend.
Is there going to be special provisions made for family members who were killed in the earthquake/seriously injured survivors?
There will be an area at the front of the service available for family members and seriously injured survivors to occupy if they wish.
Who will be attending the Civic Memorial Service?
The Civic Memorial Service on 22 February 2013 will be co-hosted by the ChristChurch Anglican Cathedral. The New Zealand Army Band will be present as will representatives from Ngai Tahu, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Emergency Services. The Mayor will also be present.
What will happen in the Service?
An Order of Service is not being printed but is available here now.
Will there be seating at Latimer Square?
There will be no seating provided. If you need to sit, please bring your own chair. Most people will be standing as is normal in an ANZAC Day Service.
How long is the Service?
The Service will be about 45mins to one hour long.
If I have to work and I can’t come to the Civic Memorial Service how do I observe the one minute’s silence?
There will be many who are unable to attend the public service. It is up to individuals how they observe the one minute’s silence, you need to do it in your own way.
I am unable to attend the Civic Memorial Service but would like to watch it on TV. Will it be screened on TV like last year? If so what channel and what time will it be screening?
The Civic Memorial Service will not screen live on TV but it will be covered in the News.
If the weather is bad on 22 February 2012 will the Civic Memorial Service be postponed?
No. If wet – it will still continue.
Can I get a bus to the Latimer Square?
To find out more about bus services visit www.metroinfo.co.nz for scheduling details.
Will there be parking available near Latimer Square?
There will be no specific public parking areas. Street parking will be limited, so people are encouraged to take a bus or come early.
Is there a public earthquake memorial site where I can go in Christchurch?
There are plans for an Earthquake Memorial in the Central City Plan which is now under ministerial review. There is not yet an official earthquake memorial site. Visit www.ccc.govt.nz for further information about the Central City Plan.
I heard that there was a memorial at Avonhead Park Cemetery for those lost on 22 February 2011?
There is an interment site for those lost on 22 February 2011 at Avonhead Park Cemetery. This is not an official earthquake memorial site. An official Earthquake Memorial is currently proposed in the Central City Plan which is under ministerial review. Visit www.ccc.govt.nz for further information about the Central City Plan.
Will there be private events for the families of those who were lost?
Any private events for families of those lost will not be communicated publicly.
I want to organise a community event on the day, do I need permission from Council to do this?
Council expects that there will be community events across the city on 22 February 2013. For more information call the Council Customer Centre on 941 8999. Otherwise, it is up to community and resident groups to organise their own events.
Planning your own event
There are many people in Canterbury and around the world who will not be able to attend Christchurch’s commemorative events but want to mark the day in some appropriate way.
For ideas on suggested remembrance options, compiled by national trauma and grief support agency Skylight, click here. [PDF 200KB] For help in planning how you spend the February anniversary, click here. [PDF 200KB]
Information for MEDIA
A copy of the
Media Advisory is now available. Also available on this website are the
Order of Service, a
Map of Latimer Square and the frequently asked questions.
