Rotorua Rotary dedicates peace pole for International Day of Peace

Community leaders and representatives from the five Rotorua Rotary clubs gathered at Centennial Park in Rotorua for the event.

Rotorua has marked International Day of Peace with the dedication of a Rotary peace pole at Centennial Park.

The event on Sunday was attended by community leaders and representatives from the five Rotorua Rotary clubs.

The International Day of Peace was observed at Centennial Park in Rotorua with the dedication of this Rotary peace pole.

The International Day of Peace is observed around the world each year on September 21 and was established in 1981 by a unanimous United Nations resolution.

Peace poles are internationally recognised monuments carrying the message “May Peace Prevail on Earth” in different languages.

More than 300,000 have been installed worldwide, including around 600 in the South Pacific and more than 50 in New Zealand.

This new peace pole, the third in New Zealand, will be cared for by the five local Rotary clubs.

The Rotary peace pole was dedicated at Centennial Park in Rotorua on International Peace Day on September 21.

“Peace is more than the absence of conflict – it is the presence of justice, respect, and kindness," Rotary district governor-elect Janine Branson said.

“This peace pole will stand as a symbol of those values for our community.”