Thousands of people have gathered around the country at vigils tonight to pay tribute to Grace Millane and reflect on a tragedy which has deeply affected many.
Ten vigils are being held in nine cities across the country from Auckland to Dunedin, including two in the city where Grace was murdered.
Ceremonies were also being held in Hamilton, Rotorua, New Plymouth, Wellington, Nelson, Blenheim, Christchurch and Dunedin.
Two minutes of silence was observed at St Patrick's Cathedral Square in the Auckland CBD, where an emotional crowd of hundreds gathered.
Anna Campbell, White Ribbon vigil leader, told the crowd this was a chance for New Zealanders to take a stand against violence.
“We all know that Grace’s story didn’t end how it should have because we let her down,” she told the crowd at St Patrick's Cathedral Square.
“To the Millane family, we are so, so sorry for your loss. No one should have to experience the pain that you’re feeling now. As a country, we didn’t do our job to keep your daughter safe.
“Your pain is our country’s shame.”
Mayor Phil Goff also spoke about the need for New Zealand’s domestic violence figures to change.
Mark Longley, the father of Emily Longley, who was murdered eight years ago in the United Kingdom, spoke to the crowd saying he felt devastated for the Millane family.
Joshua Lewis, a friend of Grace's brother, attended and said he can't imagine what he's going through.
He said there were many parallels between his daughter’s and Grace’s stories.
In Nelson, at least 200 people gather at 1903 square to remember Grace.
The Federal Street vigil was the second for Millane in Auckland, and the tenth throughout the nation.
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