Over 2,500 people attended a memorial service for victims of the Mangatepopo tragedy in south Auckland today.
It has been three and a half weeks since the canyoning accident that claimed the lives of six Elim Christian College students and their teacher.
This was a service by students for students – all sharing the grief of a school that has lost so many.
"It's good to know where you are, and sure enough we'll meet one day," said Jennifer Fernandes, mother of one of the victims. "But still you live a little far for me to come and play."
Six Elim Christian College students and a teacher drowned while canonying in the Tongariro National Park. Today's service showed video of the group at the camp that claimed their lives.
Floyd Fernandes' mother says while watching the final images of her son was painful, at least they showed him having fun.
"I know one thing – my son would not have wanted to die a sad death. He wanted to die enjoying himself – that was a kid who only had fun."
Among the tributes at today's service was a thank you to the rescuers who spent a long cold night trying to save the group.
"You threw every resource in the search for our children in terrible weather, thick bush and throughout the entire night and you never gave up until you located all seven," said Andy Bray.
At the service today there were donation boxes for the Mangatepopo Memorial Fund. Money raised will go towards a memorial at the site of the tragedy and a scholarship for an Elim college student.
It has been more than three weeks since the accident. While there is no blame or bitterness, families of the victims are welcoming a police investigation into the tragedy.
But for now the focus is on remembering the dead. The service ended with seven doves being released – one for each victim.