New Zealand marks 2nd anniversary of Christchurch mosque shooting | FULL

A remembrance service was held on Saturday in New Zealand to commemorate the second anniversary of the horrific shootings that resulted in the deaths of 51 people at two mosques in Christchurch.

Various politicians including Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and Christchurch Mayor Lianne Dalziel delivered remarks in remembrance of those lost.

"Much has been said, but words despite their healing power will never change what happened that day," Ardern said. "Words will not bring back those men, women and children who had gathered at their place of worship, quietly and peacefully, when they were taken in an act of terror ... But while words cannot perform miracles, they do have the power to heal, that means we must use them wisely."

Musical performances were also part of the ceremony and the names of many of those who died during the attack were read out. While there were 51 people lost, officials said one family did ask their loved one not be included in the service.

A 29-year-old Australian pleaded guilty in August 2020 to 51 counts of murder, 40 counts of attempted murder and one count of terrorism, the first in New Zealand's history, following the March 2019 attacks.

He was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

The attacks targeting people praying at the Al Noor and Linwood mosques shocked the country and prompted new laws banning the deadliest types of semi-automatic weapons and global changes to social media protocols after the gunman livestreamed his attack on Facebook.

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