Many residents in the quake-stricken suburb of Bexley are shocked by how slow progress has been one year on from the first Canterbury earthquake.
The area in Christchurch's east was one of the worst-hit by the magnitude 7.1 shake.
About 200 people met in Bexley on Sunday to talk about life one year on from the first of Christchurch's major earthquakes and to discuss the future.
The Bexley Residents Association's deputy chairperson Lynne Ball said while most people at least expected to have their housing woes sorted, they have accepted the fact that progress will probably be slow for awhile yet.
Another event marking the year gone by is the free Christchurch Sings concert at CBS Arena, where among other items a piece of music written specially for the city was performed.
Also, two powerful white beams of light shone into the sky from the centre of the city symbolising hope for the heart of Christchurch.
Kaiapoi planting ceremony
A rose and tree planting ceremony to commemorate the first quake's anniversary took place in central Kaiapoi on Sunday.
It is part of the Light Up Kaiapoi Anniversary Weekend, which also includes residents decorating their homes, a school concert, and church services.
Waimakariri Mayor David Ayers says after last year's devastation, planting a rose or a tree signifies a new direction and a new beginning for many Kaiapoi residents.
He says it's been a frustrating year at times because the information keeps changing and the engineering solutions have changed.
Mr Ayers says the Kaiapoi community is resilient and today is a testament to that.
