Stay away, or stand at your gates, Kiwis urged

Kiwis are being urged to again stand at their gates or begin their own Anzac traditions as the coronavirus stymies yet another year of official commemorations.

Fears of exposing veterans to the virus have quashed many traditional services across the country, though the RSA says everyone should still take time to remember those who served.

Auckland RSA president Graham Gibson says the city’s dawn service will be going ahead, though he isn’t sure what the turnout will be. ‘‘People are a bit lethargic, they’re over everything. Most people are just up to their neck in life and just want to go away and read a good book under a tree. They’ve been like that for two years, just pissed off.’’

Regardless of any potential public apathy, the service, parade and wreath laying will take place tomorrow. ‘‘All the politicians like to come out because it’s the right thing to do once a year and they might get on TV.’’

Gibson says Auckland’s commemorations are going ahead because the tradition, and especially the dawn service, is sacrosanct to people who have served their country. Kiwis who can’t make it to a service should stand at their gates or watch online.

Whanganui RSA president Rod Hart says their parade was called off after Covid cases spiked. Service personnel and veterans felt obliged to attend and no-one wanted to put them at risk.

‘‘We’d be doing them a real disservice when they’ve already done a service for their country.’’

Hart says people will still likely gather at the city’s cenotaph, and the RSA would be open at 6.30am for the traditional rum and coffee. An informal parade was also being organised but ‘‘we’re trying to pour cold water on that idea.’’

Christchurch Memorial RSA president Dennis Mardle says his organisation is encouraging people to head to places that have personal significance to them or their family member who served. ‘‘That may be a monument, cemetery or great-grandpa’s favourite tramping hut. Just a place for a family to be together and remember what that person meant to them, not the whole nation.’’

While the country’s long-held services will likely always play a part in Anzac commemorations, he would like to see families begin their own personal traditions and modernise the day. ‘‘When you think about younger people what will stand out in their minds more? Going to a service or being with their family doing something that becomes a ritual for them?’’