Sunday to be memorial day for tsunami dead

A memorial day for the thousands killed in last month's Asian tsunami will be held on January 16, Prime Minister Helen Clark announced today.

"The loss of life, injuries, and devastation caused by the tsunami has been felt right around the world. New Zealand mourns its own victims and injured as well as the losses suffered by the communities through which the tsunami swept," she said in a statement.

The tsunami -- the most widespread natural disaster in living memory -- killed at least 156,000 people in 13 countries around the Indian Ocean two weeks ago.

Two New Zealanders and a New Zealand-born Canadian citizen have been confirmed dead but others remain missing.

"All New Zealanders are encouraged to take time on Sunday, be it at a formal event or in a more private or personal way, to remember the many people whose lives have been destroyed or badly affected by catastrophe," she said.

Representatives of affected nations were invited to participate in an inter-faith service at the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity in Parnell, Auckland at 1.30pm.

At the service a minute's silence will be held at 1.59pm, the time the earthquake which caused the tsunami struck on Boxing Day.

"New Zealanders across the country are encouraged to observe this minute's silence." 

Helen Clark said national television and radio stations were planning to observe it and flags on government buildings would fly at half-mast from January 14-16.

"On this Memorial Day we must also remember those New Zealanders doing very difficult work on the front-line of the forensic and relief effort," she said.

The New Zealand Government has so far given $10 million -- a figure almost matched by public donations to affected countries along with medical, forensic, and logistical personnel.

Further aid would be announced next Tuesday and the Government would continue to match public donations dollar-for-dollar.

"New Zealand will continue to play a part in responding to the humanitarian relief, reconstruction and disaster reduction needs of affected countries," Helen Clark said.

- NZPA