Parts of Auckland fell silent this afternoon as a mark of respect for the people who lost their lives in the Christchurch quake a year ago.
Many schools, shops and businesses went quiet at 12.51 as two minutes of silence was observed.
A special service was held at the Auckland Museum for Cantabrians who have moved north and the crowd was dotted with the Canterbury colours of red and black.
Relocated Cantabrian Caleb Taiala, who attended the service with his wife Kerry and son Elijah, said the move to Auckland has been tough on his family.
"We are so grateful to have each other, other families they lost children," said Taiala.
Eight-year-old Elijah was visibly upset at the service, moved to tears remembering the people who died as a result of the quakes.
His mother Kerry said it is still hard to let the children out of their sight.
"We're still cautious of noises and things, but our family is so precious to us," she said.
In Wellington people also stopped to mark the anniversary with two-minutes silence.
Flags were flying at half-mast at Parliament, as well as other buildings around the capital.
A combined Catholic and Anglican service was held at St Paul's Cathedral where people lit candles dedicated to those who died.
Voices of Children, a short film depicting the earthquake experiences of young Cantabrians was screened at the film archive.