140 earthquake awards are being handed out as services continue in Hagley Park in Christchurch.

The awards honour those for service, for heroism, and for kindness 12 months after the devastating quake on February 22.

Among the recipients include a service award for all the citizens of Christchurch.

Another is for a local man, Murray Straight, who pulled more than 15 people out of a central city building immediately after the quake.

Meanwhile an organisation behind Christchurch's recovery has called the city's citizens heroes.

Deputy Commissioner for the Queensland Fire Service, Ian McKenzie, accepted an award in Christchurch today.

He sent around 70 USAR team members to assist following the quake.

But he says the real heroes are Cantabrians.

"It's an award of recognition from the mayor of the city, but I think it's important to realise that the real heroes of this event are not the people that we sent, but the people of Christchurch themselves."

And the Search and Rescue staff that dedicated thousands of hours to the rescue and recovery of victims of last year's earthquakes, will remember the events together tonight.

Teams from as far away as Japan, China, Canada, the United States and Australia all arrived in Christchurch to help in the days and hours following the devastating quake.

USAR deputy task manager, Ralph Moore, says the crews will gather together at Rugby Park this evening, to mark the occasion.

He says he couldn't fault the way the teams responded and is still humbled by the compassion and fearlessness the men and women showed.

"The tremendous heroics of all the guys. Every firefighter, every urban Search and Rescue personnel, they didn't even consider their own safety, it was get in and help and save."

Mr Moore says teams from as far away as Japan, China, Canada, the United States and Australia showed nothing but compassion and fearlessness in the face of grave danger.

"Just how wonderful every individual that responded that day of the earthquake was, how selfless and how totally caring they all were for their fellow man."

Newstalk ZB's Christchurch host Mike Yardley was among those to receive an earthquake award.

Meanwhile fire rescue crews from New South Wales were among those who marked the first anniversary of the Christchurch earthquakes today.

New South Wales station commander, Chris Andrews, led the first international response team to arrive in Christchurch.

He says he wanted to be in Christchurch today with his crew to show his ongoing support for the people of Christchurch.

"To pay our respects for how well they have dealt with the substantial loss and more importantly, their resilience, how they're choosing to rebuild and continue on in the face of such adversity."