A remembrance service has been held in New Zealand for the 29 men who died in last month's Pike River mining disaster.
About 11,000 people attended the national service at the foot of the Paparoa mountain ranges near the remote mine in Greymouth, while large parts of the country observed two minute's silence, AAP reported.
Local Anglican Church Reverend Tim Mora led the service.
"This afternoon, as we gather here, our nation Aotearoa New Zealand gathers to stand with us," Mora told the service at Greymouth's Omoto racetrack, referring to the indigenous Maori name for the country.
The centrepiece of the nationally-televised service was 29 tables, each bearing a miner's helmet and lamp surrounded by mementos of the dead men placed by their families.
"We can see their faces, we can see their hobbies, their loved ones, their interests, it's all there. They are not just names now - they're people," Mora said.
Mora said the disaster had scarred the close-knit community but it had been buoyed by the international outpouring of support for families of the victims, who included two Australians, two Britons and a South African.
Mine boss Peter Whittall thanked those involved in the attempted rescue, following a performance from a children's choir.
He said today would forever be a day of remembrance.
'I'm sure none of us will ever forget', he said.
Prime Minister John Key and local mayor Tony Kokshoorn are also in attendance.
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