Tears flowed freely outside the War Memorial Hall last night as 185 red and black balloons were released into the skies above Wanganui - one balloon for every person who died in the Christchurch earthquake.
The balloon-releasing came at the end of a small but moving ceremony to mark the one-year anniversary of the February 22, 2011 earthquake, which took the deadly toll.
About 50 people gathered at the War Memorial Hall for the service, which was organised by members of the Wanganui Youth Committee.
Wanganui Mayor Annette Main spoke of the lives of Cantabrians that were forever changed by the earthquake.
"We acknowledge the people that suffered, and continue to suffer. There is so much uncertainty for the people of Christchurch. Some of those people have moved to Wanganui, and to other places, for a more certain future."
Ms Main paid tribute to the many Wanganui people who had helped Christchurch in whatever way they could. She finished by reading a letter from Christchurch Mayor Bob Parker, thanking the people of Wanganui for their assistance.
Monsignor David Bell, whose nephew was killed in the February earthquake, offered prayers for Christchurch citizens, especially the young people: "May their hopes and dreams for the future be fulfilled."
Representatives from the Wanganui Fire Service, Whanganui Police and the Red Cross were at the service.
One woman, who did not wish to be named, had lived through the earthquakes and came to the service to pay respect.
The woman moved to Wanganui six months after the earthquake, traumatised by the devastation and unable to cope with the aftershocks.
While on a break in the North Island she remembered visiting Wanganui many years ago and liking it here. So she came back.
"On my first morning here, I found a house to buy."
Memories of the earthquake were still vivid in her mind, and talking about it brought her to tears: "People say I'm brave, but if I was really brave I would have stayed [in Christchurch] and stuck it out."