O’Neill’s Cemetery poppies removed from North Shore war graves after Anzac Day

Poppies have been removed from graves at O'Neill's Cemetery on Auckland's North Shore. Photo / Kelly O’Hara

Poppies laid in a cemetery on Auckland’s North Shore have been removed from gravestones nearly a week after Anzac Day.

A social media post by NZ Remembrance Army said the organisation had been notified that about 100 poppies had been removed from O’Neill’s Cemetery in Auckland without explanation.

“This is particularly concerning, as many of these poppies were originally placed around five years ago through the efforts of the Royal New Zealand Navy and volunteers,” the post read, “with additional poppies placed over time by families wishing to honour their loved ones.”

The post said this news would be distressing for some who have purchased poppies and placed them on graves, “especially so close to Anzac Day”.

However, they said there was not a clear understanding of why they had been removed and the charity would make more inquiries to understand what has happened.

“In the meantime, we want to reassure families that we will endeavour to replace the poppies at our cost, ensuring those graves are once again recognised and respected.

“We sincerely apologise for the upset this may have caused and will provide updates as we learn more.

“Lest we forget.”

One commenter called the incident “an unfathomable error of judgment”, while another pointed to other cemeteries in Auckland regularly removing items left on graves.

Another said they were distressed to find poppies on their family grave had been removed and offered to help reinstate them around the cemetery.