Today marks six years on from the devastating earthquake that badly damaged Christchurch

Video above supplied by Otakaro Ltd.

The Prime Minister, who is in the city today, says the city is moving forward.

Bill English is satisfied with the progress that's been made in the city since the quakes, saying it's remarkable when compared to other rebuilds around the world.

He said some bits have taken too long, such as the future of the cathedral and progress on the convention centre, but those issues are being sorted out.

Mr English said everyone's trying their best, and there are signs of people coming back to the central city.

"Of course, there are some people who are still quite badly affected by what happened to them in the earthquake and we should not forget that."

The City Owners' Rebuild Entity is calling for tolerance from Christchurch residents disappointed by the rebuild so far.

City Owners’ Rebuild Entity co-chair Ernest Duval said there was always going to be hiccups after the city's new blueprint was designed in just 100 days.

He said people complain about anchor projects like the Metro Sports facility being delayed, but they forget there are 700 new buildings to celebrate in the CBD.

"I don't want [people] to be left with offensive pessimism, because there's no need for that in Christchurch. It's going to be an incredibly exciting city and I don't think this is a blame game on anybody."

Mr Duval said it's not surprising some of the city's key projects have been sluggish.

"The stakeholders, the property owners, developers and businesses have been on hold for quite a few years now but when we embarked upon this rebuild after the earthquakes, we were sailing into completely uncharted waters."

One thing that can be looked upon proudly is the new memorial wall, etched with the names of the 185 people who lost their lives, being unveiled.

The memorial's lead architect, Grega Vezjak said it's something special.

"To be involved in a project like this, it can happen once in a life time. This is really important for so many people."

Mr Vezjak's design beat some 330 entries from 37 countries.

Christchurch Central MP Nicky Wagner said the new Canterbury Earthquake Memorial manages to combine what the families of the dead wanted.

Ms Wagner said the anniversary brings both gratitude and grief to the fore.

"I've been to every memorial service since the very beginning, and of course the first one was particularly emotional. This one I think is a little bit more reflective, recognising the people who took action but we're also remembering the people that we've lost."

Ms Wagner said she's proud of the way the wall encompasses what the families wanted.

"They wanted a green space, a peaceful space, a space by the water and you really couldn't better get a manifestation of that."

Mayor Lianne Dalziel said it was essential to install a strong and permanent tribute to the dead in Christchurch.

"I remember the then mayor, Bob Parker, saying at one of the funerals, promising the families that their sons and daughters, their brothers and sisters’ names would be recorded forever in our city and that’s what today is about.

"It's there for the people who died. It's for the people who were seriously injured. It's there for all of the people who experienced some sense of loss, but most of all it's for all of the people who contributed to our recovery as a city."

Otakaro chief executive Albert Brantley said there was a lot of consultation with families and those affected by the quake.

"It's a difficult one to draw to a close in some ways, but it's good to see it finished."

Manager of Mental Health awareness group All Right? Sue Turner said people are still feeling anxiety and stress brought on by the quakes.

She said those mental health signs are likely to be felt in the city until the tenth anniversary - so people still need look out for one another, especially today.

"If we all took some time to think about how we might just be a bit sensitive to each other on this really significant day.

"Even if it's something like someone cutting in front of you in the traffic, we're all going to be a little bit on heightened alert."
Christchurch will see some major construction this year with work on the next stage of the Avon River Precinct beginning next month, as will construction on Victoria Square.

Mr Brantley said the city's set to see a lot of activity.

"We actually believe that 2017 is going to be the year where people are really going to see the manifestation of all the work that's been done in the background."