Governor-General to represent NZ at centennial of Battle of Beersheba

Governor General Dame Patsy Reddy, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and NZ First leader Winston Peters at the swearing in ceremony yesterday. Photo / Mark Mitchell

The Governor-General Dame Patsy Reddy and her husband Sir David Gascoigne will represent New Zealand at the centennial of the Battle of Beersheba in Israel next week.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern was reportedly expected to attend the commemoration, but plans changed following the election result and the fact that she was only sworn in yesterday.

The 1917 battle was a joint New Zealand-Australia operation and an important strategic victory for British Empire forces.

A New Zealand commemoration will be held at Tel Be'er Sheva (historically known as Tel El Saba), a mound that was New Zealand's objective in the battle.

The New Zealand Mounted Rifles Brigade captured the position after six hours of fighting. Eight New Zealanders were killed and 26 wounded, almost all from the Auckland Mounted Rifles Regiment.

The site rises 20m above the surrounding area, with a clear view across farmland to the Anzac approach route. It was a key position overlooking the strategic township of Beersheba, which was guarded by Turkish forces. Anzac forces captured the town just before sunset - the first step in an offensive that led to the capture of Jerusalem, six weeks later.

Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnball and Opposition leader Bill Shorten will also attend the centennial.

Dame Patsy and Sir David will leave New Zealand tonight, and the commemoration will take place on Tuesday. It will include a joint Anzac service at Be'er Sheva War Cemetery, the opening of an Anzac Museum, and the New Zealand commemoration.

Dame Patsy will also visit the United Arab Emirates and the occupied Palestinian Territories during her trip, as well as open the New Zealand art exhibition Sand in the Apricot Jam at the Museum of Rishon LeZion.