Anzac Day a century ago: Kiwis questioning their beliefs

Commander Lisa Hunn speaks at the Tauranga Anzac Day Civic Ceremony in Memorial Park. Photo/John Borren

On Anzac Day 100 years ago the people of New Zealand were nearing the limits of their endurance and questioning their beliefs after several years of bloody war and death.

That was what the estimated 500 people - and at least two dogs - gathered in the sunshine in Memorial Park this morning for Tauranga's Anzac Day civic service heard from speaker Commander Lisa Hunn, commanding officer of the HMNZS Te Mana.

She described 1918 as a year of "bitter losses" for New Zealand.

"From January 1 to the armistice on November 11, we suffered nearly 19,000 battle casualties including 5222 dead - more than in any other year."

Soldiers returned victorious to a country in the grips of an influenza pandemic that killed 8600 Kiwis between October and December of that year.

The historical picture Hunn painted contrasted the speeches that followed, given by Otumoetai College head prefects Becky Dougherty and Redemption Te Wiki.

Becky said she belonged to a generation that had never felt the direct impact of war.

"We hope to never understand what it is like to send a family member off overseas to war."

Redemption honoured the spirit of the Anzacs and the values they showed and fought for.

"We shall honour them by persevering in our struggles as they did in theirs," he said.

After the speeches more than 35 wreaths were laid at the cenotaph by Tauranga service organisations, as well as schools and clubs.

Captain William Brewer and Major Richard Pinfold salute during the civic service in Tauranga. PHOTO/JOHN BORREN

Hunn also talked about New Zealand's commitment to an "international order" in which war had no place.

"The New Zealand and Australian soldiers who stormed ashore at Anzac Cove on the 25th of April 1915 were manifestations of a profound failure - the total collapse of the 19th century balance of power in favour of the application of naked force."

It was a "lawless world" that led to many deaths and global war, she said.

The role of the men and women of the New Zealand Defence Force today was to, if needed, defend the values that would prevent a slide back to that world, as well as to monitor peace agreements and rebuild infrastructure shattered by war or natural disasters.

"Anzac day was, is, and will always be about honouring that service and sacrifice."