Memorial move begins
The first piece of bronze has been craned away from Christchurch’s Citizens’ War Memorial as part of a plan to dismantle and move the structure to a new spot in Cathedral Sq.
The one-and-a-half tonne bronze and stone sculpture was lifted away from the base of the memorial and onto a truck yesterday afternoon.
The memorial will be dismantled over the next two months and put into storage. Christchurch city councillors previously voted to move the memorial to a site in Cathedral Sq only 50 metres from its current spot.
The relocation of the memorial will create more space for workers restoring the earthquake-damaged Anglican cathedral and make way for a planned visitor centre and cafe.
Cathedral project director Keith Paterson said craning the first piece of bronze was a ‘‘milestone’’ for the cathedral’s restoration.
He said it was the first of six bronze pieces to be moved. The top of the memorial will then be cut off and removed, and the base taken away separately.
The Portland stone and bronze cladding will be stored for relocation, but parts of the corroded interior of the memorial will have to be destroyed.
Paterson said the removal would be complete by early July, calling it ‘‘another milestone’’ for the project.
Restoration of the cathedral was on schedule and stabilisation of the building with large steel frames would be complete by July next year.
Anzac Day services
Christchurch’s Dawn Parade and Anzac Day Memorial Service 2021 is at Cranmer Square at 6am on Sunday. The route is from the RSA on Armagh St to Cranmer Square, concluding at 6.15am. The ceremony will then start, including one minute of silence, and conclude at dawn, 7.30am.
Join the Air Force Museum in honouring our RNZAF heroes at the Anzac Service at the Air Force Museum of New Zealand at
12pm on Sunday. Led by Chaplain Sam Schuuman and held in the Therese Angelo Wing, speakers include RNZAF Association president Jeanette Barson, and president of the Brevet Club of Canterbury and the AirTraining Corps John Lay. The Salvation Army Band will perform in front of the 5000 Poppies panel.
Also on Sunday: Rolleston Anzac parade and service at the Rolleston Community Centre, 10.50am. Anzac Day citizen service at
234 Hereford St, 10am. Anzac Parade, Wakefield Ave, Sumner, 9am. Woolston Anzac service, 9am. Anzac Day service at New Brighton, 10am. 20th Battalion Association Commemoration, Riccarton,
8.30am. Halswell Anzac Service, 9am. Anzac Day Service 2021 at the University of Canterbury quad, between Matariki and Puaka-James Hight Library, 10am.
Anzac Day events
The World Wars in Miniature: display and memorabilia at All Souls Anglican Church,
30 Church St, Sunday from 11am. It features four large dioramas depicting four battles as well as memorabilia from the first and second world wars. New Zealand Voices of War: Christchurch-based researcher Sarah Johnson will play selected audio made during World War II by the New Zealand Broadcasting Service mobile units, which accompanied our forces from 1940-45 through the Middle East, North Africa, Italy and the Pacific. From 2.15pm to 4pm on Tuesday at Tu¯ ranga. Woolston Brass presents an Anzac Variety Concert at 2pm on Sunday at the Christchurch Town Hall. Canterbury Model Engineers present the Night Run: trains for young and old from 6pm on Saturday at Halswell Domain. Anzac Day walk and history at Avebury House, Sunday, 10am to
11.30am. From Avebury House explore the Richmond red zone, including an installation of crosses by the river. Free event.
John Butler trio
John Butler, Australia’s highest selling independent artist of all time, has announced two New Zealand shows. He will perform at the Isaac Theatre Royal on May 15, and Auckland’s Powerstation on May 16. Butler was to have headlined Bluesfest at Byron Bay last month but Covid-19 was a fun sponge. He has the honour of being the first international performer to cross the border without quarantine in the last year. The multi award-winning John Butler Trio’s seventh album Home hit the ARIA Charts at number 1 upon release. Butler got his first guitar at 16, began busking at 21 and is now in his early 40s. He is involved in many environmental campaigns and also runs the Seed, which provides grants to artists and musicians. Tickets go on sale via Ticketek today.
Boat party
Black Cat Cruises and Botanic Sunset presents a Boat Party in Lyttelton from 3.30pm to 6.30pm on tomorrow. DJs Ash-S and Patella will work their magic on the decks as you sail around the harbour. Alcoholic/non-alcoholic beverages and food are available for purchase on board. Tickets $73 plus fee.
Sorry bout it
International comic superstar Tofiga Fepulea’i (Fresh TV, Laughing Samoans) is at the Christchurch Town Hall at 7.30pm on Thursday. He will share stories about his family, fatherhood and what it means to be raised as Samoan in New Zealand. Sorry Bout It is an all-ages family show. Tickets from Ticketek.
Wahine toa
Celebrating indigenous women through sound, storytelling and performance, Wahine Toa features Tusiata Avia, Jireh Komene, Esther Rose, Pisivalu Pou Tulisi, Segia Pitama Uta’i, Saelyn Guyton, Hora Kairangi Nicholas, Tee Henderson, Aja Ropata, Danica Carne, and The Byllie-Jean Project at Blue Smoke tonight. Doors open 6.30pm. Koha entry.
Simple Minds
Simple Minds will perform at Christchurch Arena on December 15. Originally scheduled for November and December last year, their 40 Years of Hits tour sees them touring with Orchestra Manoeuvres in the Dark. It was the release of ‘80s classic New Gold Dream that set Simple Minds alight in New Zealand. A string of awards and hits followed, including Promised You A Miracle, Alive and Kicking, Sanctify Yourself and Don’t You (Forget About Me), recorded for the John Hughes film The Breakfast Club. ‘‘We are determined to make even more effort for our fans in Australia and New Zealand,’’ Simple Minds frontman Jim Kerr said. There’s a Christchurch connection you may not be aware of. When Kerr floated the idea of marriage to Chrissie Hynde of the Pretenders, he did so in Christchurch.