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National | Christchurch

New Zealand marks 5 years since devastating Canterbury earthquake

New Zealand marks five years today since the 6.3 earthquake which struck in Christchurch, killing 185 people.

The community, government officials, emergency services and representatives of the defence force are among those who will attend a civic memorial service at the Botanic Gardens Archery Lawn, today at midday.

The ceremony will also have a moment of silence which has occurred in previous years at 12:51pm, the time when the earthquake struck on the 22nd of February in 2011.

The Canterbury landscape is still generating aftershocks with the latest 5.7 earthquake which struck the area nine days ago.

Later today flowers will be tossed over the Avon River in the garden city to remember its darkest day in history.

Te Kāea reporter Taroi Black will have more on this story tonight.