Service in Garden Place for National Day of Mourning

A memorial service will be held in Hamilton's Garden Place this Friday from 12.15pm to mark the National Day of Mourning for Christchurch.

The Hamilton service will be held to coincide with the National Christchurch Memorial Service in Hagley Park and will include live streaming of the Christchurch service on a big screen and an opening address by Hamilton deputy mayor Gordon Chesterman.

Hamilton mayor Julie Hardaker will be travelling to Christchurch to attend the National Memorial Service alongside other mayors from throughout the country.

Cr Chesterman said it is important to give residents an opportunity to gather and reflect on the tragedy in Christchurch, as well as remind Christchurch that Hamilton is committed to supporting them through their ongoing recovery.

"The people of Hamilton have been deeply touched by this tragedy and the response that our city has given in support of Christchurch has just been incredible," he said.

"Friday's service in Garden Place will be an opportunity to pause and reflect on what has happened over the past month. While I am sure many Hamilton residents would have wanted to attend the National Christchurch Memorial Service in Hagley Park, they are invited to instead gather with friends and family in Garden Place and connect to the national service on the big screen"

Cr Chesterman will make his opening address at 12.15pm, prior to screening of the National Christchurch Memorial Service.

Meanwhile Mayor Hardaker said she is looking forward to representing Hamilton at the National Christchurch Memorial Service.

"This service will be an important piece of New Zealand's history and I am honoured to being representing our city there. I will certainly be passing on messages of support, condolences and well wishes to Christchurch on behalf of the people of Hamilton," she said...

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