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Tens of thousands of New Zealanders braved at-times wet and
windy weather to remember fallen ancestors at a series of Anzac Day
dawn services throughout the country on Saturday.
In large cities and small towns, people turned out to listen to
ceremonies and dedications remembering the sacrifice of New
Zealanders at war.
People attending the ceremonies were asked to remember both those
who landed at Gallipoli, Turkey on April 25, 1915, and those who
had fought for New Zealand in wars right from the Boer War in South
Africa in 1899 through to the Afghanistan conflict today.
At the cenotaph outside Auckland Domain, Auckland Mayor John Banks
gave a short dedication in drizzling and windy weather and laid a
wreath with Defence Minister Wayne Mapp and Labour Party leader
Phil Goff.
He later spoke with some emotion as he read the last letter home of
soldier Robert Bett, who fought at Gallipoli and then died at the
Western Front in 1917.
An Air Force Hercules was due to fly over Auckland but the crowd
was told it under repair after carrying two crocodiles from
Australia - "two more Anzacs in New Zealand" as a Returned Services
Association speaker described them.
In Hamilton, veterans marched across the bridge to Memorial Park
where about 3000 attended the service beside the floodlit
Cenotaph.
A contingent of World War 2 veterans led the dawn parade into
Cathedral Square in Christchurch.
An estimated 10,000 people packed the square for the service led by
Canterbury Malayan Veterans' Association president Paul Tau.
A similar number attended the dawn service in the capital at which
Prime Minister John Key was present.
In Mt Maunganui, Rev Chris Haines asked New Zealanders to keep
their recession hardships in perspective and not look for somebody
else to blame.
"The inevitable cycles of less than plenty have much more to do
with our common obsession with self-interest than with a
particular person or political party," he said.
"We can, individually and as a people if we will, remember the
gifts of freedom and peace that was brought to us by so many
thousands of young New Zealanders who, on the sharp end of war and
terror and death, gave us their second chances."
Watch ONE News' coverage of the Mt Maunganui service,
presented by Miriama Kamo, on TVNZ Ondemand.
Events to mark Anzac Day were set to continue throughout out the
country on Saturday morning, among them the national wreathlaying
ceremony at 10.30am in Wellington.
Read the Prime Minister's Anzac day message
here.
New Zealand troops in the Solomon Islands and Afghanistan were also
due to mark Anzac Day, while Governor-General Sir Anand Satyanand
and cabinet minister Judith Collins were among New Zealanders at
Gallipoli.
What does Anzac Day mean to you? Comment on our messageboard below. Or you can send your images from commemorations around the country to interactivenews@tvnz.co.nz
Add a Comment:
Post new commentLoiueS said on 2009-04-25 @ 19:38 NZDT: Report abusive post
What a lucky country we are! I attended the dawn service this morning at the war memorial in London and was proud to stand amongst so many other Kiwi's and Aussie's doing the same. May the strength, courage and selflessness displayed by those brave young New Zealanders 94 years ago reside within each & every one of us as we continue to carry their message of freedom and peace into our countries future.
fothered said on 2009-04-25 @ 13:33 NZDT: Report abusive post
What a wonderful day! My wife and I have been to the dawn service at the Cenotaph in Dunedin. Well done to all those who contributed to make it a memorable service and comemoration. I could be mistaken but it seemed to us that there were more people than in recent years. It looks as if young people are taking more and more interest in what is their heritage and they ought to be encouraged and congratulated. Ray in Dunedin.
said on 2009-04-25 @ 07:00 NZDT: Report abusive post
I attended the Auckland dawn service and it was amazing. As a young person it is such a great opportunity to show your respect to those who fought for our country. My only worry however is that younger people are starting to go because it is "the thing to do" and don't know the history properly.