Hakas were performed in the streets and tears flowed as New Zealand marked one year since the Christchurch terror attack on Sunday.
Official commemorations were cancelled due to the growing threat of coronavirus but Kiwis and international visitors still found ways to remember the 51 lives lost.
People gathered at the Al Noor Mosque, where the attack started, to place flowers and show support.
It was also the scene of an impromptu haka by the Tu Tangata bikies.
Perth resident Burhaan Mehtar of the Sadaqa Welfare Fund travelled to Christchurch in the aftermath of the tragedy and came again this weekend with a message of "goodwill".
"As Australian Muslims ... We have a responsibility to come here today, to come and support the people of Christchurch. Not just the Muslims, but everyone in Christchurch and New Zealand, they are mourning," he told SBS News.
"Cancelling a memorial does not change what's in the heart – the pain or the love that we wish to give."
It was a point echoed by Sakina Ali, who visited the Al Noor Mosque from Auckland.
"Even though there isn't an actual, physical memorial where everyone can come together, we're still being able to remember it," she said.
SBS News also talked to the McCormick family, who live in Christchurch and made their first visit to a mosque on Sunday.
The McCormick family on Sunday. Source: Virginia Langeberg
"They were very friendly inside, they explained everything to us ... They told us what actually happened on the day, how they were hiding behind things," Mark McCormick said.
Mr McCormick said it was important to bring his two young children as "it's going to be part of their lives now".
Together in tragedy
Jumayah Jones and Hamimah Tuyan were brought closer through the tragedy, as they both lost their husbands in the attacks a year ago.
"The first week for me was hard, questioning why am I alive, I didn't even want to visit any of my friends who had lost someone," Ms Jones told SBS News on Saturday.
"I was in the mosque when this happened and after the second day I realised that I'm not dead for a reason so I've been pretty busy doing things in the community, closing gaps wherever I can."
Dr Tuyan said, "we have been able to keep the faith in us and use that strength to heal, to move forward, we will never forget my husband and the incident of 15th of March."
Jumayah Jones and Hamimah Tuyan. Source: AAP
"It's the strongest hearts that have more scars."
Thoughts from Australia
Thoughts have also been shared from Australia, with Prime Minister Scott Morrison issuing a statement of "unity and solidarity".
"New Zealanders responded to hate with love in the aftermath of this terrible incident and that powerful message endures today," Mr Morrison said.
He said whether it is the Christchurch Call to Action or last year's G20 and G7 resolutions to stamp out online hate and violence, New Zealand and Australia will continue to work to ensure something like this does not happen again.
A woman prepares to lay flowers outside the Al Noor Mosque in Christchurch. Source: AAP
"We owe it to the memory of the Christchurch victims," he said.
Labor said it will always stand against racism, hatred, fear and division.
A police officer stands in a park near the Al Noor Mosque in Christchurch. Source: AAP
"Our hearts broke for our New Zealand sisters and brothers who had their family, friends, loved ones and community leaders and members prematurely taken from them," Labor's Kristina Keneally and Andrew Giles said in a statement.
They said right-wing extremism is growing and more must be done by all levels of government in Australia to combat the threat.
"Last year, in the days after the massacre, at mosques across Australia, thousands of Australians left flowers, offered condolences, and showed sympathy," they said.
Additional reporting: Nick Baker
