Another big crowd is expected at the Gisborne Cenotaph on Anzac Day morning with clear skies and fine weather the forecast for commemorations. This was the scene as the crowd gathered in 2025. Photo / Murray Robertson
Another big crowd is expected at the Gisborne Cenotaph on Anzac Day morning with clear skies and fine weather the forecast for commemorations. This was the scene as the crowd gathered in 2025. Photo / Murray Robertson
Anzac Day has been forecast to dawn clear and bright across Tairāwhiti on Saturday.
People will gather at various services to repeat the poignant and solemn words that remain firmly at the heart of the commemorations: “Lest We Forget”.
MetService predicts fine weather across the Tairāwhiti region.
The 2025 Anzac Day service drew a huge crowd of people of all ages and backgrounds with a common bond. Photo / Murray Robertson
The Returned ServicesAssociation expects the various services will be well attended again.
Gisborne’s combined dawn and civic service last year at the city cenotaph drew the biggest crowd seen there for many years.
The commemoration convener for that service, Gisborne RSA acting manager Paul Bayly, said they were hoping for another big turnout.
“We know of lots more younger people who will be part of it. Students from Gisborne Intermediate will join the march to the cenotaph this year, joining students from the high schools (Gisborne Boys’ and Girls’) and Campion College, ATC and Army cadets, and the likes of the Girl Guides and St John cadets,” Bayly said.
The march to the cenotaph falls in outside the district council buildings at 5.30am Anzac morning. Students will once again be a part of the commemoration, keeping the tradition well and truly alive. Photo / Murray Robertson
The service will start as usual with a flypast by the Trust Tairāwhiti Eastland Rescue Helicopter and there will be another flypast by fixed aircraft later on.
Gisborne Civic Brass Band will provide the music and a three-gun salute will be fired from across the river during the sounding of The Last Post.
Jack Donnelly, Royal New Zealand retired, will sound the World War I trench whistle as has become traditional at the Gisborne service.
The guest speaker is Royal New Zealand Navy Warrant Officer Darren Crosby, formerly of Tokomaru Bay.
Wreaths will be laid by a range of organisations, groups and individuals.
The cenotaph will be adorned with wreaths again as part of the service. Photo / Murray Robertson
The service will start with “fall in” outside the Gisborne District Council administration building at 5.15am, and the service itself commences at the cenotaph at 6am.
It is among a host of services across Tairāwhiti on Saturday morning.
Te Poho-o-Rawiri Marae is hosting a 28 Maori Battalion service from 7am.
Tolaga Bay’s Anzac Day commemorations start at 5am with a march to the Memorial Gates, followed by a service at the gates at 6am and another at 7am by Tolaga Bay RSA cemetery.
The Tolaga Bay Anzac Day service at the Memorial Gates in 2025. Photo / Gisborne Herald
Those taking part at the dawn ceremony at the cenotaph at Tokomaru Bay will assemble at 5.30am.
Ruatōria Returned and Services Association starts its dawn service at 5.30am.
Waiapu RSA’s service starts at 6am outside the RSA in Tikitiki.
Matakaoa RSA in Te Araroa will start with a dawn service at 6am at the RSA, followed by fall in at 7am for a march to the cenotaph.
Manutūkē Marae is hosting a parade from 9am and there is a service at Muriwai Marae from 11am.
Pātutahi will have a service at its cenotaph on the corner of Lavenham and Onslow roads from 10am.
Mangatu Marae at Whatatutu will host a dawn service from 5.30am.
Te Karaka’s commemorations comprise an assembly at the area school at 10.30am, followed by a march to the cenotaph for a service at 11am.
In other Anzac Day activities, C Company Memorial House next to Tairāwhiti Museum in Stout St is hosting an event from 11am.
Heritage Tairāwhiti is holding an Anzac Day guided tour, starting at its building near Peel Street Bridge from 11am, accompanied by a photo and video exhibition from Saturday to Monday from 10.30am to 1.30pm.
Help will be available onsite at Taruheru Cemetery for people looking for the location of a specific soldier.
The weekly Gisborne Farmers’ Market held in the carpark across the road from the council will run at the later time of 1pm to 4pm.
