ANZAC Commemorations in Rotorua
ANZAC Day (Tuesday 25 April 2023) marks New Zealand’s first major engagement of World War One at Gallipoli, Turkey. While it was a terrible defeat, it has gone on to become a legend of sacrifice.
Locals and visitors are invited to attend several free ANZAC commemorations in Rotorua to reflect and remember all the men and women who have served their country.
This year’s ANZAC commemorations begin with a special event commemorating B Company, 28th Māori Battalion with a special focus on the service of Sir Robert ‘Bom’ Gillies, the last surviving member of the entire Māori Battalion.
Hosted by Rotorua Museum Te Whare Taonga o Te Arawa, the event will be run twice at Rotorua Library, Te Aka Mauri, on Friday 21 April at 12pm and 5.30pm.
Attendees will have the opportunity to see the B Company, Māori Battalion film, Ake! Ake!, previously shown at Rotorua Museum, and Te Ao with Moana interview whereMoana Maniapoto talks one on one with Koro Bom about his experience during World War II.
On ANZAC Day (Tuesday 25 April) the day begins with Te Arawa Māori Returned Services League Dawn Service at Ōhinemutu from 5.45am. The service will be conducted by Reverend Tom Poata and includes a short parade past the Muruika Soldiers’ Cemetery (near St Faith’s Church). The Dawn Service is expected to conclude at approximately 6.30am.
Following the Dawn Service, a shorter ANZAC Day Parade will depart from Te Arawa War Memorial (next to Rotorua Museum in Government Gardens) at 9.20am, making its way to the Sir Howard Morrison Centre where the Rotorua Civic Memorial Service will begin at 9.30am (approximate length 1 hour).
The officiating Minister will be Reverend Tom Poata, with Her Worship the Mayor Tania Tapsell introducing this year’s guest speakers: Colonel Karl Cummins, and our two youth speaker representatives from Western Heights High School; Foua Tuielu (Head Boy) and Jago Watson (Prefect).
Glen Botting will play the Last Post on his bugle before the Ode to the Fallen is read by WO11 Pererika Makiha (President of Te Arawa Māori Returned Services League) and Jason Ramsay (President of 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. Rotorua local, Christian Thurston, will perform during the service, accompanied by the Rotorua Municipal Brass Band.
This will be the first time Mayor Tapsell will be introducing speakers on ANZAC Day, and also the first time the Civic Memorial Service has returned to the recently re-opened Sir Howard Morrison Centre since 2017.
Rotorua Mayor Tania Tapsell says “ANZAC Day is an opportunity for our community, and our country, to remember those who lost their lives and to honour our returned services who displayed courage while serving our country.”
“I’m pleased locals in Rotorua make the time every year to come together to remember and show our respect for those who made the ultimate sacrifice. They ensured we can live with the rights and freedoms we now enjoy and I look forward to standing alongside our community to honour them.” says Mayor Tapsell.
Ka maumahara tonu tātau ki a rātau. We will remember them.
ANZAC Day Timings (Tuesday 25 April 2023)
5.45am Dawn Service at Ohinemutu
9.10am Meet at Te Arawa War Memorial
9.20am ANZAC Parade leaves Te Arawa War Memorial
9.25am Parade arrives at Sir Howard Morrison Centre
9.30am ANZAC Civic Memorial Service begins at Sir Howard Morrison Centre
(expected duration: 1 hour)
ANZAC Day(Tuesday 25 April 2023) Road closures (8.30am – 10am):
Queens Drive from Prince’s Gate Arch to Te Arawa War Memorial (roundabout next to the Rotorua Museum). Arawa Street from Prince’s Gate Arch to the intersection of Fenton Street, (not including the roundabout). People are encouraged to avoid the Prince’s Gate entrance to Government Gardens due to the road closure.