Paraparaumu Anzac Day service: Small group command stage to espouse views

Some of the estimated 2000 strong crowd at Paraparaumu's Memorial Arch.

The end of an Anzac Day service, on a rugby field beside a war memorial arch, in Paraparaumu, has been clouded in controversy.

The shortened service, hosted by Paraparaumu RSA, which began at 7am, was going according to plan but took a twist towards the end.

"At what was supposed to be the conclusion of the shortened planned service, the Paraparaumu RSA president gave the podium and the mike to a group of four people that did not identify themselves but from their garb were clearly self-appointed 'common law sheriffs'," service attendee Jake Roos said.

"There was a fellow with a goatee and a red beret, two people in black paramilitary garb with stab vests and caps emblazoned with yellow 'sheriff' stars, and a fourth person, a woman with pink hair, who was wearing black shorts and top.

"This last person started giving a rambling speech about the Anzacs.

"Once I realised who they were, and that they were making a pathetic gambit for legitimacy using the mana of the event and the captive, mostly unwitting audience, I left, as did some others.

"I shouted 'these people have no authority' as I did so."

The group was told by Paraparaumu RSA president Philip Simpson because freedom of speech was a human right — something our troops had fought for — they would be given a short time after the Anzac Day service concluded.

But when that point was reached the group tried to use various speakers to promote a 10-point law review.

As various Anzac Day supporters began to walk away in apparent disgust, and police stood by as the group tried to push their case, Simpson concluded the service and the group were left to talk with any remaining supporters.

"We tried a reasonable approach to avoid unnecessary disruptions on what for us is a very special day but the actions of a few were clearly unacceptable."

Later, a group member, Ricky Cribb, defended the group.

He said the group, which was guided and mentored by the Constitutional Sheriff Peace Officers Association of America, had been given permission to speak by Simpson.

He said letters afterwards to Simpson, RSA national president BJ Clark and RSA chief executive Marty Donoghue "clearly exemplifies our most honourable and purest intentions on such a sacred day".

Cribb felt Roos's comments "was a deliberate attempt to create division and negative energy towards us".

"His heckling of the speaker rudely interrupted the honourable free speech of the Head Sheriff Kerre Ann.

"Kerre Ann spoke with only the honour and respect in the true heart and respect of the Anzac spirit."

Cribb said the group did identify themselves, were not common law sheriffs, were not wearing stab proof vests, had no military connection, there was no mention or intention of any 10 point law review, and was "never any 'pathetic gambit for legitimacy using the mana of the event'."

On a positive note, Anzac Day in Paraparaumu was a huge success with more than 2000 attending despite the Covid climate.

"It was heart-warming to see the strong flow of local people arriving at the domain for the service, many with small children, to once again take part in an Anzac Day service," Simpson said.

"It reinforced for the RSA the strong bonds many people have for an event which recognises the sacrifices of those who never came home, those who are currently serving, and the dependants they leave behind."