Whanganui War Memorial forecourt filled up as hundreds attended the dawn service. Photo / Noam Mānuka Lazarus
Whanganui War Memorial forecourt filled up as hundreds attended the dawn service. Photo / Noam Mānuka Lazarus
The War Memorial Centre forecourt was packed as Whanganui came together on a brisk but fine morning for the Anzac Day dawn service.
The fall-in march from the Sarjeant Gallery started the event, with Defence Force and Returned and Services’ Association (RSA) personnel, emergency services, Scouts, Guides and schoolrepresentatives taking part.
RSA president Pieter Boks addresses the Whanganui Anzac Day dawn service. Photo / Noam Mānuka Lazarus
RSA president Pieter Boks said the event had more attendees than the previous year.
“[Gallipoli] was one of the bloodiest battles that we as a nation and the Australians have ever fought.
“Today we are remembering those soldiers, and every other soldier since then, who have given their lives so that we can have our freedom,” Boks said.
Whanganui Mayor Andrew Tripe said it was a time to reflect on those involved in the Gallipoli campaign 111 years ago, as well as those who served in Korea, Vietnam, Afghanistan and Iraq.
“We must remember that Anzac Day is not a celebration of military victory. It is a solemn acknowledgement of everyone who has served, died and suffered,” Tripe said.
“To honour them and their service is to make the choice to forgive, the choice to reconcile, the choice to love, and the choice to empower others.
He said New Zealanders and Australians had served together in two world wars, the Korean War, the Malayan Emergency, the Borneo Confrontation, Vietnam, the Middle East and various peacekeeping missions.
“Our bond is only separated by a passage of water and scoreboard results on the sporting field,” he said.
He shared that the term Anzac (Australian and New Zealand Army Corps) was first created for convenient telegram messages.
“Little did they know how important and enduring the symbol of Anzac would become,” Boyde said.
Pākaitore marks century since first Māori Anzac ceremony
Pūtiki leader Tamahau Rowe said it was the 100th year since the first Māori Anzac ceremony, which was held in Whanganui.
“This daytime Māori service is not a teina (younger sibling) to the [dawn service], nor is the dawn a tuakana (older sibling) to this gathering,” he said.
“Each holds its own significance, its own purpose.
“Kia maumahara rātou. That our fallen are remembered fully. In both the stillness of the dawn, and in the clarity of the day.”
Mike Taiapa and Danny Broughton reunite after about 15 years at the Whanganui Māori Battalion service. Photo / Noam Mānuka Lazarus
After being welcomed on to Pākaitore, guest speaker Jamie Tuta (Ngāti Mutunga, Taranaki) of the Māui Pōmare Trust shared a story of Sir Māui Pōmare.
“He stood among the great Māori leaders of his generation.
“He served as Minister of Health, Minister of the Cook Islands, Minister of Internal Affairs, and minister representing the Māori race in Cabinet,” Tuta said.
“He argued that if Māori stood shoulder to shoulder with Pākehā in war, then Māori would be recognised as equal citizens in peace.
“When the war ended, the true struggle for Māori had only just begun.
“That battle was for equality, it was for the right to be treated as full citizens in our own land.
“For [Pōmare], honouring service required more than medals, it required opportunity, fairness and recognition.”
