Workers to down tools as mark of respect for Christchurch mosque shooting victims

ContainerCo's 14 locations across New Zealand, including Fiji, will down tools for 15 mins. Photo / File

Workers at the Port of Tauranga, New Zealand's busiest port, will down tools this afternoon to honour the victims of Christchurch's deadly massacre.

ContainerCo managing director Ken Harris said staff at all 14 locations throughout New Zealand, including the Port of Tauranga, and Fiji will stop work for 15 minutes at 2pm today.

"It is a mark of respect and solidarity with the victims," he said.

Harris said it also was a mark of respect for the diverse cultures and background of its 300 staff members.

"We have a diverse culture, we are all family," he said.

Harris said many of his staff had been affected by the tragedy.

"It is a terrible tragedy but if we can see a positive outcome it does bring people together," he said. "It is a reminder of community humanity."

The New Zealand independent container depot stores empty containers for the shipping and container leasing industries, including the Port of Tauranga.

The tribute is one of several collective vigils being held around the country in the days following Friday's devastating tragedy which resulted in 50 deaths.