The 2025 Anzac Day dawn service in Rotorua. Photo / Supplied
Strong attendance is expected at two Rotorua Anzac Day events to remember the soldiers who have fought and died, and those currently serving.
Te Arawa Māori Returned Services League Inc will lead the city’s dawn service in Ōhinemutu from 5.45am on Saturday.
Rotorua Lakes Council and the Rotorua Returned Services Association (RSA) have organised an Anzac Day Parade along Queen’s Drive at 8.50am, before the civic memorial service at the Sir Howard Morrison Centre at 9.30am.
Anzac Day, named for the Australia New Zealand Army Corps, is a national day of remembrance for veterans and service personnel.
The date marks the disastrous beginning of the nearly year-long Gallipoli campaign that ended with more than 130,000 dead, including 2779 New Zealanders, in World War I.
Te Arawa Māori Returned Services League Inc president Pererika Makiha told the Rotorua Daily Post the dawn service was usually well-attended, with thousands of people joining.
This year’s guest speaker was Dr Donna Morrison, niece of 28th Māori Battalion soldier Haane Manahi. Her speech would focus on her uncle.
Manahi, of Ngāti Whakaue – Te Arawa and Ngāti Raukawa, was enlisted with the 28th Māori Battalion at the outbreak of World War II, serving with B Company through Greece, Crete and the North African campaign.
At the Battle of Takrouna in 1943, Manahi led a small band of B Company soldiers up a 200m rocky outcrop under intense mortar and machine-gun fire to capture an enemy stronghold held by more than 300 Italian and German troops.
Manahi is the subject of a just-released feature documentary, Sgt. Haane, which filmed and premiered in Rotorua.
“Because of that, I thought, ‘that’s a good opportunity for Donna to speak to the people of Rotorua about the kaupapa’,” Makiha said.
Makiha said Anzac Day was to maumahara (remember) those who fell at Gallipoli and in later campaigns, such as during World War II.
“Our push for Te Arawa Māori Returned Services is to acknowledge the battle that happened prior to Gallipoli, and these are the Māori Wars. Because no one acknowledges that, and that’s a big part of our Te Arawa history.”
Makiha said other Anzac Day services would be held at various Rotorua marae.
Reverend Tom Poata is the officiating minister for the civic memorial service, and Rotorua Lakes councillor Don Paterson will read the Governor-General’s message.
Rotorua Mayor Tania Tapsell will introduce this year’s speakers.
A council statement said speakers at the civic memorial service included Chief Petty Officer Lee Warncke from the Australian Defence Force and Rotorua Boys’ High School student Tristan Stewart.
Rotorua RSA president Jason Ramsay said he expected a similar turnout to last year’s civic memorial service, which about 1000 people attended.
He said it was the first year in a while that the service had an Australian speaker and one who was currently serving.
Ramsay said Warncke could offer a “different perspective” in his speech.
Ramsay said Rotorua had a “deep connection” to Anzac Day, including through the 28th Māori Battalion.
“It’s about remembering and honouring those that gave their lives for us … and are still serving.”
There would be performances by the Ruakura Academy Choir, bugler David Morgan, the City of Rotorua Highland Pipe Band and Rotorua Municipal Brass Band.
Ode to the Fallen would be read by Anipatene McDonald of Te Arawa Māori Returned Services League and Rotorua RSA president Jason Ramsay.
Wreaths would be laid during the service.
To conclude, Nikau Grace would perform her song He Aha Te Ha, which honours the legacy of the 28th Māori Battalion and marks the passing of its last surviving member, Sir Robert (Bom) Gillies in November 2024.
The service would be livestreamed on the council’s YouTube channel and Facebook page.
5.45am: Gather at Ōhinemutu
5.50am: Parade march to Muruika Soldiers’ Cemetery, by St Faith’s Church
6.00am: Service begins with a mihi (welcome) from Te Arawa Māori Returned Services League president Pererika Makiha
Karakia: Reverend Tom Poata, Father Prakash Somu, Father Mohan K. Belavendram
Anzac dedication followed by hymn and guest speaker Dr Donna Morrison.
The dawn service is expected to conclude about 6.30am. It will be livestreamed online.
It may be a chilly morning, with MetService forecasting an overnight low of 3C in Rotorua, but no rain.
8.50am: Meet at Te Arawa War Memorial, next to Rotorua Museum in Government Gardens
9.00am: Anzac Parade leaves Te Arawa War Memorial and heads along Queen’s Drive
9.25am: Parade arrives at the Sir Howard Morrison Centre
9.30am: Service begins
Megan Wilson is a health and general news reporter for the Bay of Plenty Times and the Rotorua Daily Post. She has been a journalist since 2021.