In 2015 the restored statue of Waitotara soldier Herewini Whakarua was welcomed home by his Nga Rauru descendants before being replaced atop the Pakaitore monument. Filmmaker Kevin Double recorded his progress with his award-winning documentary Set in Stone. There will be a special, free screening for Anzac Day as well as a screening of Peter Jackson's multi-award-winning war documentary They Shall Not Grow Old. There will be numerous remembrance services and special events throughout the Whanganui region today. See details below.
THURSDAY
ANZAC DAY
When: Whanganui RSA Dawn Service: 5.30am at the Whanganui War Memorial Centre. Also, Maxwell Service at 9.30am, Brunswick Service at 10am, Turakina Service at 10am and 28th Māori Battalion Service at 11am at Whanganui War Memorial Centre. See rsa.org.nz for services in Rangitikei and Ruapehu.
River City Artists
From beginners to established artists
When: 9.30am-4pm
Where: Christ Church Community Hall, 243 Wicksteed St
Details: Val 343 6316 or 027 459 9448.
Anzac Day Cruise
Waimarie Paddle Steamer
When: Boarding at 12.30pm
Details: Two-hour cruise. Details and booking options available at waimarie.co.nz
Poppy Making
Museum school holiday programme
When: 2pm to 3pm
Where: Whanganui Regional Museum, Watt St
Details: Commemorate ANZAC Day making a poppy. Ages 5-plus meet in atrium, bookings essential. Ph 06 349 1110.
Thoughtful Thursday
Anzac special screenings
When: 3pm and 6.30pm
Where: Confluence, 15 Watt St
Details: Set in Stone - Double Farley's award-winning documentary made in Whanganui, featuring the craftspeople and community who came together to preserve the Māori WWI memorial. At 6.30pm see They Shall Not Grow Old - Peter Jackson's hard-hitting WWI documentary film. $10 entry. Book at confluence.kiwi or call (06) 281 3474. Free screening, booking essential.
Meditation
When: 6pm-7.30pm
Where: Whanganui Community Arts Centre, 19 Taupo Quay
Details: Drop-in classes from Gen Demo from Amitabha Buddhist Centre. Suggested donation $12.
The Rhythms of Ireland
When:7.30pm
Where: Royal Wanganui Opera House
Details: Experience a spectacular evening of traditional Irish dance, music and song enhanced by stunning costumes, lighting and sound. Book at ticketeck.co.nz
FRIDAY
Blowing Bubbles
Museum school holiday programme
When: 1pm to 2pm
Where: Whanganui Regional Museum, Watt St
Details: Have fun blowing zany bubbles into all sorts of shapes and colours. All ages. Museum front steps.
Stargazing
When: At sundown (clear sky permitting)
Where: Ward Observatory, Cooks Gardens, St Hill St
Details: Entry is by donation (suggested charge $2). Call Ross 027 245 8066 with queries.
Adam McGrath
Ragged Ramble Tour
When: 7pm
Where: Whanganui Musicians club, 65 Drews Ave
Details: The big voice of The Eastern on his autumn tour.
Live at Lucky
When: 7.30pm
Where: Lucky Bar + Kitchen, 53 Wilson St
Details: Four fresh and funky bands from Whanganui and New Plymouth. $10 at the door.
SATURDAY
River Traders' Market
When: 8.30am-1pm
Where: Downtown Whanganui riverbank
Details: Goods, produce, food.
Walking Tours
When: Tours leave 10am and 2pm each Saturday, Sunday
Where: Whanganui i-Site
Details: Learn about Whanganui's history, buildings and people. $10 per person. Other times possible - call i-Site in good time.
SUNDAY
Feijoabulous
Feijoa Festival
When: 11am to 2pm
Where: Harakeke Room, Whanganui Environment Base, 83 Maria Pl
Details: Celebrate the feijoa by bringing raw feijoas, and dishes containing feijoas,
to share, plus recipes. Competitions, singing and dancing. Phone 345 6000
for details.
Castlecliff Market
When: 11am-3pm
Where: 5 Bryce St, Castlecliff
Details: Goods, produce, food.
Antique and Collectables Auction
When: 10am to 5pm
Where: Haywards Auctions, 129 Guyton St
Details: Antiques and rarities offered in the annual auction. Open for viewing on Saturday.
Mable the Tram
When: 1pm to 3pm
Where: Tram Shed, 27 Taupo Quay
Details: Take a ride on the No12 vintage electric tram, $2.
Grand Jam
When: 6.30pm.
Where: Grand Hotel Irish bar, St Hill St.
Details: Free. Relaxed sing-around session for acoustic musicians, singers and listeners. All abilities and styles of music.
MONDAY
Whanganui Film Society
When: 7pm
Where: Davis Theatre, Watt St
Details: Daisies - made in Czechoslovakia, 1966. A brilliantly vibrant surrealist comedy following two young women on a joyously anarchic rampage. See whanganuifilmsociety.org.nz
Grassroots Singers
When: 6.30pm
Where: Duncan Pavilion, Castlecliff Beach
Details: We welcome new (and current) singers. Ph Mary Ann 06 343 9981.
TUESDAY
Slimmers Support Group
What: Lose weight and keep it off
When: 5pm.
Cost: $10 joining fee with $2 weekly. Inquiries: Ngaire 06 347 1613.
If you have an item for this free column, email news@ whanganuichronicle.co.nz with the details. The deadline for information about events from, and including, Thursday, May 2, to Wednesday, May 8, is noon on Tuesday, April 30.