The Rotorua Anzac Parade in 2022. Photo / Supplied
There will be road closures in Rotorua on Friday as locals and visitors gather to reflect and remember the lives of those who served their country at Anzac commemorations across the city
Anzac commemorations taking place in Rotorua on Friday include a dawn service at Ōhinemutu and a civic memorial service at Sir Howard Morrison Centre.
The Rotorua Dawn Service will be conducted by Te Arawa Māori Returned Services League and take place at Ōhinemutu.
5.45am: Gather at Ōhinemutu
5.50pm: Parade march to Muruika Soldiers Cemetery (by St Faith’s Church)
6am: Dawn Service begins with a mihi (welcome) from Te Arawa Māori Returned Services League
Prayers: Reverend Tom Poata
Anzac dedication followed by hymn and guest speaker.
The Dawn Service is expected to conclude at 6.30am.
Anzac Day marks New Zealand’s first major engagement of World War I at Gallipoli, Turkey. While it was a terrible defeat, it has gone on to become a legend of sacrifice.
Rotorua Lakes Council will host an Anzac Day Parade and Civic Memorial Service for all to attend.
Locals and visitors can come to reflect and remember all the men and women who have served their country.
8.50am: Meet at Te Arawa War Memorial (next to Rotorua Museum in Government Gardens)
9am: 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: Anzac Civic Memorial Service begins
Commemoration organisers said in a statement that the officiating minister would be Reverend Tom Poata, and Mayor Tania Tapsell would be introducing guest speakers Angela Swann-Cronin (Formerly Royal New Zealand Air Force), and Rotorua’s two youth speaker representatives Patience Lister (Rotorua Girls High School) and Harrison Roberts-Brake (John Paul College).
“Mr G Botting will play the Last Post on his bugle before the Ode to the Fallen is read by WO11 Captain Rangi Rata [Te Arawa Returned Services League] and Dr Reynold Macpherson [vice-president Rotorua Returned Services Association]."
Laying of the wreaths will take place during the service, and pipers from the City of Rotorua Highland Pipe Band will play as well as the Rotorua Municipal Brass Band.
To conclude, there will be a special performance by Te Kapa Haka o Ngāti Whakaue honouring Sir Robert (Bom) Gillies (February 14, 1925 – November 7, 2024).
Road closures in Rotorua will be:
- Queens Drive from Prince’s Gate Arch to Te Arawa War Memorial (roundabout next to the Rotorua Museum).
- Arawa St from Prince’s Gate Arch to the intersection of Fenton St, (not including the roundabout).
People are encouraged to avoid the Prince’s Gate entrance to Government Gardens due to the road closure.
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