Prime Minister Julia Gillard will attend New Zealand’s National Memorial Service in Christchurch this Friday to commemorate the lives lost in the Christchurch earthquake on 22 February.

The Prime Minister will be accompanied by the Governor-General, Ms Quentin Bryce AC, and the Leader of the Opposition, the Hon Tony Abbott MP.

They will convey the deepest sympathies of the Australian people to those affected by the earthquake.

Two Australians, a long-term Australian resident of New Zealand nationality and an elderly Australian citizen who lived in Christchurch, died in the earthquake, along with 164 others.

The Prime Minister will reiterate her offer of Australian Government support as New Zealand begins the reconstruction of Christchurch.

The overall Australian effort at the height of the crisis involved more than 600 people.

The Australian Government has also donated $5 million to the New Zealand Red Cross Earthquake Appeal, following advice from the New Zealand Government.