1.32PM: How we honoured them

They gathered in their hundreds at Majestic Square to show unity and pay respects. Photo / Sue Dudman

At exactly 1.32pm yesterday Whanganui fell silent. Two minutes to contemplate and reflect on one of our darkest weeks.

Shortly afterwards the Cooks Gardens bell tower rang out, a chime for every life lost in Christchurch a week earlier. So many chimes, so many deaths.

In workplaces, clubs, shops, schools and parks across the city people stopped what they were doing and gave pause.

Students from Faith City School took part in the two-minute silence at the Splash Centre. Year 8 students from the school ran a mufti day on Thursday and raised more than $300.

They also organised a memorial book, signed by students and the community, to send to Christchurch.

Chronicle reporters, wherever they were in the community yesterday, stopped to capture some of the moments.

Students from Faith City School took part in the two-minute silence at the Splash Centre. Photo / Bevan Conley

Bill Charnock, at the Chronicle's reception, reflects. Photo / Simon Waters

The commercial team at the Whanganui Chronicle pay their respects. Photo / Simon Waters

Students at Whanganui Intermediate School joined the two minutes of silence. Photo / Jesse King

Action at the Wanganui tennis courts stopped to observe the silence. Photo / Jared Smith

Staff at Whanganui Library give pause. Photo / Laurel Stowell

Students from Faith City School took part in the two-minute silence at the Splash Centre. Photo / Bevan Conley