Christchurch earthquake: 5000 gather at Parliament

Photo / Dean Purcell

Head bowed in respect but defiantly holding a Crusaders flag aloft, Robbie Lane, like many others packed into Parliament grounds, had found his own way of coping with pent-up emotion let loose during yesterday's two-minute silence.

Some in the crowd of more than 5000 - probably the biggest gathering at Parliament since the foreshore and seabed hikoi in 2004 - huddled in small groups hugging each other. Some wiped tears from their cheeks. Others cried unashamedly.

The vigil service conducted from the steps of Parliament by the Dean of Wellington, Frank Nelson, ran ahead of schedule, turning the two-minute silence into something closer to four.

It didn't matter. With traffic stopped, the only sounds were the flags at half-mast gently crackling in the breeze on Parliament's forecourt to the backdrop of cicadas and the blast of a lone ship's horn on Wellington harbour.

Earlier, a woman in the crowd threatened to disrupt the service by continuing to strum a guitar. Her refusal to stop playing angered others who told her she was a disgrace. She was removed by security staff.

Bill English, speaking in his role as Deputy Prime Minster in John Key's absence in Christchurch, told the service: "At the end of our silence will be the beginning of hope.

"Hope that we can stitch up the ragged edges of broken hearts and broken homes and rebuild. Hope that the memory of those who have died will be the foundations of a renewed city and renewed communities."

Also speaking were Labour MP Charles Chauvel, representing the Opposition, and Governor-General Sir Anand Satyanand.