Little lad steals the show
The navy made a little Whanga¯rei boy’s day after he was spotted standing to attention next to the top brass with a toy gun during Waitangi Day celebrations at the Treaty Grounds.
The final formal event each Waitangi Day is the Beat Retreat, a ceremonial lowering of the flag at the grounds.
More than 100 sailors, a brass band and a kapa haka group from the Royal NZ Navy — along with the head of navy, Rear Admiral David Proctor — took part in Wednesday’s ceremony.
After a concert, a rifle volley and lowering of the flag, the Rear Admiral and top officers saluted as the sailors marched from the parade ground.
At that moment 5-year-old Connor Petersen-Hodge, also dressed in a spotless white shirt and clutching a plastic gun with flashing lights, came running from the crowd and took his place next to the navy bigwigs.
When they stood to attention and saluted, the youngster puffed out his chest and did the same.
His exemplary parade ground performance was not lost on a navy officer who invited him to meet the sailors and watch as the real rifles were packed away.
Proud dad Rodney Phillips said Connor was fascinated by all things military and was keen to join the armed forces some day.