Samoa tsunami 'let the best shine through'

PETER MEECHAM

GUESTS: Samoan Prime Minister Tuilaepa Lupesoliai Sailele Malielegaoi, NZ Prime Minister John Key and his wife Bronagh, and Governer General of NZ, Sir Anand Satyanand and Lady Satyanand at the service.

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The Samoan tsunami was the worst of moments, but allowed the best of humanity to shine through, John Key said today.

The Prime Minister was speaking at the country's official national tsunami memorial service in Auckland at the Anglican Holy Trinity cathedral.

"From the worst of events we often see the best shine through," Mr Key told the gathered dignitaries and members of the public.

Among those there were Governor General Sir Anand Satyanand, Tuilaepa Lupesoliai Saielel Malielegaoi Prime Minister of Samoa, and Doctor Feleti Sevele Prime Minister of Tonga.

The service was being filmed to broadcast across the Pacific.

Mr Key said the best could be seen shining in the determination of the islands to rebuild, in the hearts of New Zealanders who gave support and in today's service.

While the scars on the land would be healed, the scars on the hearts of those who had lost loved ones would take far longer to do so.

"You face the hardest of all tasks, grieving for those lost," Mr Key told those gathered. The way forward was to remember them forever, he said.

Among those who gathered for the service, stories emerged that have so far received little prominence.

Palavi Lefai was here today, a police officer from the Tongan village of Vaipoa, which was hit by the tsunami. He survived with minor injuries but lost four members of his immediate family including his father Sefo Lefai.

His mother Kalala Lefai was evacuated with a broken leg and lacerations.

Apifo'ou Pelikani, 41, a mother from Otara, summed up the mood of those gathered at the service.

She had come simply to remember, to pay respects and to reaffirm faith.

"We feel in our hearts that we miss them," she said of all those snatched away in the disaster.