Martin and Jane Weekes will tonight release three lanterns from Cheltenham Beach in Devonport in memory of their children Lillie, Willsher and Jackson.
"We're going to release a pink one, a blue one and a purple one," Mr Weekes said.
Today marks a year since the Doha mall fire which killed their 2-year-old triplets and 16 other people.
"People have been so kind to us - all over the world, but particularly New Zealand - and we know they will be (today). But you kind of put a wall up around yourself so you don't have to feel some of the pain and (today) is a day that will be really difficult to ignore the pain because people will want to be supportive," Mr Weekes said.
He said that support brought back memories of standing outside the mall watching people running around, not knowing what was going on.