The unveiling of a plaque commemorating the role of the merchant navy in wartime has marked a special day in history.
September 3 is officially Merchant Navy Day but until now the New Zealand had never officially recognised the day - it was the last country in the Commonwealth to do
so.
The merchant navy played a vital role in World War II. Its members sailed the ships that delivered military equipment and vital cargoes of food, fuel and raw materials to the armed forces.
A plaque was unveiled on Saturday at Rotorua's Memorial Gates by Rotorua MP Todd McClay and deputy mayor Trevor Maxwell. It represented the Government's recognition of the merchant navy's position as the civilian arm of the armed forces (Army, Navy and Air Force).
It was also a remembrance of the merchant navy men and women who lost their lives at sea during the war and of those who returned and have since died.
It is estimated that 34,000 merchant navy personnel perished and 3500 merchant ships were sunk during the war.
Members of the Merchant Navy Association, the Rotorua Returned Services Association and a few locals paid their respects at the plaque unveiling.
Ex-merchant navy engineer Bill Lacey spoke on the history of the merchant navy, as well as its role in society today. He said it was an honour to be recognised for the organisation's part in the war.
Mr Lacey placed a rose on the plaque, after which poppies were also laid.
The merchant navy is still active today with ports in Auckland, Tauranga, Napier and Gisborne. Shore-based shipping facilities include marine engineering, ship provisioning and bunkering, goods handling, storage and distribution centres for road and rail transport.
For more on the MNA call Bill Lacey, phone (07) 349 1900.
