New Zealand remembers victims of Christchurch terror attacks

A national remembrance service was held Friday morning at Hagley Park to pays tribute to the victims of the Christchurch terror attacks.

Members of the Muslim community attend the National Remembrance Service at North Hagley Park in Christchurch on March 29, 2019. The remembrance ceremony was held in memory of the 50 lives that were lost in the March 15th mosque shootings in Christchurch. [Photo: AFP/Sanka Vidanagama]

The service was attended by New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, Governor-General Patsy Reddy, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison and more than 100 International dignitaries.

Christchurch Mayor Lianne Dalziel addressed the public by saying "Hate has no place here" after the mihi whakatau, the formal Maori speech of welcome.

Members of the Muslim community attend the National Remembrance Service at North Hagley Park in Christchurch on March 29, 2019. The remembrance ceremony was held in memory of the 50 lives that were lost in the March 15th mosque shootings in Christchurch. [Photo: AFP/Sanka Vidanagama]

Al Noor Mosque terror attack survivor Farid Ahmed received warm applause when he came onto the stage to speak. Ahmed said those killed two weeks ago are now dead but their soul is alive.

The names of the 50 victims who died at the terrorist attacks were read by members of the New Zealand Muslim community.

Governor-General Patsy Reddy said she was here to "convey love and messages of condolences and support from our Queen, from leaders of the nations around the world and from fellow New Zealanders."

Women react as the New Zealand national anthem is sung during a national remembrance service in Hagley Park for the victims of the March 15 mosque terrorist attack in Christchurch, New Zealand, Friday, March 29, 2019. [Photo: AP/Mark Baker]

"We are at such a point in our history," said Reddy, adding "The best weapons against the senseless and vile politics of hate are to be found within each and every one of us."

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern received a loud round of applause when she delivered her speech.

"Violence and extremism in all its forms is not welcome here. Over the last two weeks, we have shown that. You have shown that," said Ardern. "The world has been stuck in a vicious cycle of extremism breeding extremism and it must end."

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern meets members of the Muslim community following a national remembrance service in Hagley Park for the victims of the March 15 mosques terrorist attack in Christchurch, New Zealand, Friday, March 29, 2019. [Photo: AP/Mark Baker]

The service is jointly led by the government, the city of Christchurch, Maori tribe Ngai Tahu and the Muslim community. It is live-broadcast across the country.

The service came along with some of the strictest security measures seen in New Zealand for a public event. Event organisers estimated the crowd size at around 20,000 to 25,000.