New Zealand Prime Minister John Key yesterday vowed to rebuild Christchurch, telling its residents the city would rise again despite suffering a “ruthless act of nature”. He said that every New Zealander had a connection to the southern city.

“Today all New Zealanders grieve for you, Christchurch,” he said.

“On behalf of New Zealand let me say to all of you: We feel your pain, as only a small nation can, for none of us feel removed from this event.”

Mr Key, who was raised in the South Island city, described himself as “proud to be a son of Christchurch”.

The Prime Minister said he had been cheered by the support he had received from around the world in the wake of the quake, as he urged the city’s residents: “You will get through this.”