Hundreds of people braving rain and wind to attend Candlelight Memorial services last night heard the Governor General describe the resurgence of HIV in New Zealand described by the Governor General as an avoidable tragedy. Governor General, Dame Silvia Cartwright, patron of the NZ AIDS Foundation, stressed that the 17% increase in new HIV infections in New Zealand in 2005 “is an avoidable tragedy not just for those New Zealanders who contracted the virus, but for their families and friends too.” In a message read by lesbian MP Maryann Street, Prime Minister Helen Clark paid tribute to the work of the AIDS Foundation and stressed the significance of the New Zealand's HIV/AIDS problem, which is most prevalent amongst gay men. “It is critical that we do not become complacent,” she said. “The number of people diagnosed with HIV hit a record high in 2005. New generations of New Zealanders need to be informed about prevention and reminded about the painful lessons we have learned.” Opposition leader Don Brash stressed the global nature of the problem. In Christchurch Mayor Gary Moore and gay MP Tim Barnett attended the service. Mayor Dick Hubbard mingled with the crowd in Auckland, Wellington Deputy Mayor Alick Shaw attended in the capital, while in Dunedin, MP David Benson-Pope joined around 80 others in releasing balloons on the steps of St Paul's Cathedral. Ref: GayNZ.com (d)