(CNN) -- New Zealanders paused at 12:51 p.m. Tuesday for two minutes of silence, marking the time a week ago when a shallow, 6.3-magnitude earthquake struck Christchurch, toppling historic buildings and killing more than 150 people.
The death toll from the quake has risen to 155 and is expected to increase, police said in a statement Tuesday.
Christchurch police superintendent Dave Cliff said the brief respite was an opportunity for police and other emergency staff to be still for a while.
"We know that the time will come that all of this will hit hard," Cliff said. "We know the roads will be fixed and the buildings rebuilt, but we cannot replace those we have lost. Their absence will leave a hole that cannot be fixed".
Christchurch police have been joined by 330 Australian police officers, who were sworn in as New Zealand police last week.
The work of emergency personnel is far from over, authorities said. CNN
