Flags flew at half mast and shopping malls, restaurants, and sports umpires halted activities at 1:59 PM Sunday as the whole nation of New Zealand observed a minute's silence to mourn victims of the devastating Asian tsunami.
The Boxing Day tsunami killed at least 160,000 people in 13 countries. Two New Zealanders are confirmed dead and a further four remain missing, presumed dead.
In Auckland's Cathedral of the Holy Trinity in Parnell, an inter-faith service began at 1:30 PM to remember the victims.
Speaking at the service, which was attended by Governor General Dame Silvia Cartwright and Foreign Affairs Minister Phil Goff, Prime Minister Helen Clark said "on this Memorial Day, we remember and honor all those who died and all others who have been so terribly affected by the earthquakes and tsunami in Asia and in the Indian Ocean region on Dec. 26, 2004.
"Our thoughts are with all the New Zealanders killed, missing, or injured, and with their families; and with those who have returned home deeply distressed by what they have witnessed.
"Our thoughts are with the communities in New Zealand which originate from the devastated region and which have seen their home countries so damaged and so many lives lost.
"And our thoughts are with those New Zealanders who are serving on our behalf in the relief efforts in Asia -- the New Zealand police officers working in the morgues, the defence personnel in the hospitals and supporting the relief flights, the Foreign Affairs Ministry staff and other government personnel, and all our non-governmental workers and volunteers in the field."
Clark said New Zealanders had contributed so generously to appeals for funds for the victims and the devastated communities.
The New Zealand public has given NZ$10 million (about US$7million) in private donations to the tsunami relief effort and the New Zealand government has pledged a further NZ$10 million to those countries worst hit by the tsunami.
Clark last week said the New Zealand government would continue to match public donations dollar-for-dollar and will announce further funding after Cabinet meetings on Tuesday.
(Xinhua News Agency January 16, 2005)
