Christchurch gifted unique peace train from Cat Stevens

Christchurch has been gifted a unique new train that symbolises peace.

'Chugger' was given by singer-songwriter Cat Stevens alongside rare bravery awards at an event on Friday night.

Just days after Christchurch's mosque attacks, Yusuf Islam - Cat Stevens - took to the stage in support, belting out a classic at the memorial service.

He's now gifted a physical peace train to the people of Christchurch.

The train, Chugger, is described as a battery-powered, ride-along with songs and messages played as passengers travel the virtual tracks of peace.

It was given to the city alongside rare bravery awards on Friday night.

Sara Qasem, who lost her father in the attacks, was one of several speakers.

"This love and compassion can be our blueprint that does have to be inspired by tragedy, it should just be a daily occurrence," she says.

While the awards were welcomed by families, they're still dealing with the fallout from Hollywood's quest to take their heartache to the big screen.

Maha Elmadani, whose father died in the attacks, read part of the They Are Us script leaked to Newshub.

"They did not go about this in the right way," she says.

Film director Andrew Niccol has announced he's put the film on hold for now but he still intends to make the film in the future.

"I don't think it's genuine. I think they're essentially sorry they got caught and that the script was leaked," Elmadani says.

She says while putting the film on hold is a step in the right direction, it's too little too late.

"The producers really need to consider what they've done so far and the damage that they've done."