How Rotorua plans to mark Anzac Day

Ka maumahara tonu ta¯ tau ki a ra¯ tau. We will remember them.

This year, the installation of the Rotorua District Field of Remembrance on April 16 marks the start of public Anzac commemorations in the district.

The field of crosses will be installed at the Cenotaph in Government for the last time. Originally created for the centenary of World War I (2014-2018), each of the 110 crosses in this Field of

Remembrance represents a soldier from the Rotorua District, who lost their life while serving during WWI, 1914-1918.

The crosses will remain in place until April 26 and provide everyone with an opportunity to have a quiet moment of reflection, and a chance to place a personal tribute for those who lost their lives.

Anzac Day (Sunday, April 25) marks New Zealand’s first major engagement of WWI at Gallipoli, Turkey.

While it was a terrible defeat, it has gone on to become a legend of sacrifice.

Residents and visitors are invited to attend several free Anzac commemorations in Rotorua to reflect and remember all the men and women who have served their country.

On Anzac Day, Te Arawa Ma¯ ori Returned Services League will host a dawn service at O¯ hinemutu from 5.45am.

The service will be conducted by Reverend Tom Poata and includes a short parade past the Muruika Soldiers’ Cemetery, near St Faith’s Anglican Church.

After the dawn service, the Anzac Day parade will depart from the new Memorial Plaza (Lake end of Fenton St) at 9am, and make its way to the Energy Events Centre where Rotorua’s Civic Memorial Service will begin at 9.30am.

The officiating minister will be Rev Poata, with Rotorua mayor Steve Chadwick introducing this year’s guest speaker, Warrant Officer of the Navy, Warrant Officer Lance Graham.

Student representatives from Rotorua Girls’ High School will also speak, including head girl Helena Dou’ble and deputy head girl Hope Smith.

Ken Douglas will play the Last Post on his bugle before Ode to the Fallen is read by WO11 Pererika Makiha (Te Arawa

Ma¯ ori Returned Services League president) and Ron Hope, (Rotorua Returned Services Association president) in te reo Ma¯ ori and English.

During the laying of wreaths, three pipers from the City of Rotorua Highland Pipe Band will play.

Music to conclude the event will be performed by the Rotorua Brass Band and Elisha Hulton, along with students from Rotorua Boys’ High School.

There will be a special performance by the Royal New Zealand Navy Band at the rotunda after the service.