Anzac Day in Rotorua: Love and remembrance at 110th anniversary service

The ANZAC Civic Memorial Service in Rotorua shared messages of love and remembrance of the late Sir Robert “Bom” Gillies.

Messages of love, honour and remembrance shone through during Anzac Day services in Rotorua.

The civic service saw a parade of former and current service people marching from the Te Arawa War Memorial in the Government Gardens to the Sir Howard Morrison Centre, commemorating those who served.

Mayor Tania Tapsell opened the service to honour and commemorate the 110th anniversary.

“To our veterans, this is not only about honouring your service but, of course, remembering those who were not so lucky to return,” she said.

“We thank you very much for your time to acknowledge what has been a lifetime of service from many.”

Reverend Tom Poata officiated the service which included guest speaker Angela Swann-Cronin, formerly of the Royal New Zealand Air Force.

Rotorua-raised Swann-Cronin (Ngāti Porou, Rongowhakaata) was the first Māori woman to become an air force pilot.

She retired in 2009 after a 13-year career and now flies 787s for Air New Zealand.

In her address, Swann-Cronin talked of love.

Rotorua-raised Angela Swann-Cronin (Ngāti Porou, Rongowhakaata) was the first Māori woman to become an air force pilot. Photo / Supplied

“Love is not always the word we associate with war. When we think of the battlefield, we think of hardship, loss and suffering, but when we look past the medals and the uniforms, we find love at the heart of courage,” she said.

“When the first Anzacs stepped on the shores of Gallipoli 110 years ago, they stepped into the unknown, but they did not do it alone.”

Swann-Cronin spoke of the soldiers who stepped forward as one bound by duty but “driven by love”.

“Love for their mates, love for their homelands and their families back home.

“Love is what brings us here today, we gather not just to remember loss but to remember what was given.”

Swann-Cronin addressed “keeping alive the memory” of her tipuna Hēnare Kōhere, who died at the Somme in 1916.

“Anzac Day reminds us of not just sacrifice but of the values we must uphold - courage, compassion, comradeship, commitment and aroha.

“Aroha mai aroha atu - let love be given and let love be returned.”

 Patience Lister from Rotorua Girls’ High School and Harrison Roberts-Brake of John Paul College spoke also.

Patience Lister from Rotorua Girls' High School shared a message at the service and is a representative of the Rotorua Army Cadets. Photo / Supplied

Patience stood proudly as she addressed the hundreds who turned up to commemorate those who served.

“We gather to reflect on a significant day in our history, a monumental event in the history of New Zealand, which will not be forgotten.”

Lister, a representative of the Rotorua Army Cadets, said she stood before the service with great respect for those who had worn the uniform before her.

“Anzac Day is a reminder of the responsibilities that we have to uphold as citizens, to uphold the legacy of those who came before us,” she said.

“We all have a role to play in shaping the future, embodying the same spirit of courage, responsibility and respect for our ancestors.”

Harrison Roberts-Brake painted a picture of what the young soldiers who “faced torture” experienced to “supply us with freedom”.

Harrison Roberts-Brake from John Paul College spoke at the service. Photo / Supplied

“Oh, to be 18 and free,” he said.

“For thousands of Anzac soldiers who would’ve been a similar age to me, their dreams were paused, exchanged for the promise of glory and honour.

“Their valorous sacrifice is the foundation of our country today, their legacy shaped our modern world.”

Roberts-Brake commemorated the late Sir Robert “Bom” Gillies - the longest surviving Māori Battalion soldier who died in Rotorua last November.

“What Bom valued is exactly what our Anzacs fought and died for.

“Today, we evaluate how we can carry on the Anzacs’ legacy, not just through memory but through action.”

The 110th Anzac Day was the first without the late Sir Robert Gillies.

“This is a call to honour his legacy, all we really need is a little aroha,” Roberts-Brake said.

“We must recall not only what we’ve lost, but what we’ve gained.”

He said there was an abundance lingering in Sir Robert “Bom” Gillies’ legacy, and there was a duty to promote a world where peace trumps pride.

Laying of the wreaths took place during the service.

Roberts-Brake concluded his address with a question to those attending the service.

“Will you answer the call to honour his legacy?”

The crowd stood silent for the Last Post as the New Zealand flag was raised.

Laying of the wreaths took place during the service, and pipers from the City of Rotorua Highland Pipe Band played and the Rotorua Municipal Brass Band.

Tapsell closed the ceremony.

“We acknowledge the veterans who have joined us today, we have such gratefulness and warmth in our hearts for the service of not only you, but your families and the sacrifice that you, your brothers and your sisters have made over the years.”

At the end of the service there was a special performance by Te Kapa Haka o Ngāti Whakaue honouring Sir Robert (Bom) Gillies (February 14, 1925 – November 7, 2024).

A special performance by Te Kapa Haka o Ngāti Whakaue honouring Sir Robert (Bom) Gillies took place at the end of the service.

“As you can tell by their tears in their eyes and the love in their voices, this not only meant a lot to perform this today, but it meant a lot to dedicate that song, and today, many more years to come of memories of Sir Robert Gillies,” Tapsell said.

“May we not only acknowledge our loved ones on the 25th, but may we acknowledge them every day in our hearts.”

Kaitlyn Morrell is a multimedia journalist for the Bay of Plenty Times and Rotorua Daily Post. She has lived in the region for several years and studied journalism at Massey University.