Japan tribute from Prince William at NZ quake memorial

Prince William has offered condolences to the people of Japan, while paying tribute to victims of last month's earthquake in New Zealand.

Prince William said: "Here today, we love and we grieve."

Speaking to a crowd of more that 30,000 people at a national memorial for quake victims in Christchurch he said: This community... can appreciate the full horror of what is unfolding in Japan."

The prince is on a tour of disaster zones in New Zealand and Australia.

He also saw the scene of a mine blast and will go on to flood-hit Australia.

Speaking at the memorial in Christchurch, in New Zealand's south island, he said the world had watched the city's resolute response to the disaster with awe and admiration.

He said the ordeal endured by residents of the city, New Zealand's second largest, gave them a unique insight into the situation facing Japan.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with them too," the prince told the memorial service.

New Zealand Prime Minister John Key also used the memorial to extend sympathies to Japan.

"Even today as we mourn here, we think of Japan's desperate plight," he said.

He said the images from the country brought "flooding back the raw emotional pain that accompanies such a devastating event".

The number confirmed killed during the magnitude 6.3 earthquake in Christchurch, on 22 February, stands at 166 but officials have said it is likely to rise to 182.