Canterbury earthquake

Since 23 February 2011, the New Zealand flag has flown at half-mast from the tower at Government House in Wellington as a mark of respect for those who lost their lives in the latest earthquake to strike Christchurch and the Canterbury region.   Several world leaders, including the Governor-General of Australia, HE Quentin Bryce, have called the Governor-General, Rt Hon Sir Anand Satyanand, to personally express their condolences.  World leaders have sent messages to the New Zealand Government and Government House and some of those messages follow: