About 300 people gathered at Memorial Park Cenotaph at 11am November 11 for the Armistice Day Centenary service.
A hush fell over Memorial Park as at least 300 people gathered to pay their respects to the people who fought and died for New Zealand 100 years ago.
Yesterday marked 100 years since the signing of the Armistice that brought an end to World War I at 11am on the 11th day of the 11th month.
At the exact time of the signing of the Armistice, Tauranga residents gathered in front of the cenotaph and Field of Remembrance to honour the local men who fought and died in World War I.
Hundreds gathered in front of the Memorial Park Cenotaph for the Armistice Centenary service. Photo /George Novak
Among the dignitaries were Tauranga City councillors, Western Bay of Plenty District councillor and National Party leader Simon Bridges, with his wife Natalie and their children.
Labour MPs Angie Warren-Clark and Jan Tinetti also attended, along with members of the three arms of the NZ Defence Force, police, local RSAs, and former servicemen and women.
More than 18,000 New Zealanders died in World War I, and over 41,000 others were wounded or fell ill. Of those who died, 109 were from Tauranga.
People looking at photos of the 109 Tauranga fallen soldiers in Memorial Park near the Cenotaph. Photo / George Novak
To honour their sacrifice, 109 named white crosses - one for each of the fallen soldiers - formed a Field of Remembrance near the cenotaph with a red poppy attached.
Some of the 320 large-scale poppies created by Tauranga and Western Bay intermediate students erected in Memorial Park. Photo / George Novak
The city's official Armistice Centenary service began with a parade led by the Tauranga Pipe Band, followed by minute's silence at 11am.
After a mihi and karakia prayer by local kaumatua Tamati Tata, Tauranga Mayor Greg Brownless officially welcomed those who had gathered to pay their respects.
Brownless said World War I had a huge impact on almost every Kiwi family.
"The worldwide impact of the World War I was catastrophic, leaving an estimated 16 million soldiers and civilians dead, including 109 from Tauranga.
"Countless others were left with lasting physical and psychological wounds.
"The year's centenary of the Armistice provides us with an opportunity to express our gratitude to those whose sacrifice is recorded on war memorials, in the fields of remembrance, and whose memory lives on through family histories.
"Let us make this day truly one of remembrance of the costs of war, and of gratitude and respect for peace. They will not be forgotten."
Head boys and girls from Mount Maunganui, Papamoa, Tauranga Boys' and Tauranga Girls' colleges read out the Roll of Honour for the 109 fallen.
As the names were read aloud sprigs of rosemary were laid beside each white crosses.
Among those who came to pay their respects were also World War II veterans and Mount Maunganui RSA members Bill Chapman and Paul Shephard.
"I thought it was a very good remembrance service," Shephard said.
Sid Pavett from Bethlehem, a member of the British Forces 2nd Battalion Parachute Regiment, who saw active service in the Suez Canal, agreed.
"I especially thought the fly past by the three Boeing Steerman was fantastic, " he said.
Tauranga Boys' College head boy Anaru Palmer was one of many people who laid a wreath on the cenotaph.
Palmer, 19, said his two great-grand uncles from Matakana Island served in World War II and he had recently had the chance to visit some World War I battlefields in Europe.
"It's a huge privilege to be here today to pay my respects to all those men who sacrificed so much for what we enjoy today. It's a very sacred, moving occasion," he said.
Tauranga also joined the nationwide effort to recreate the roaring chorus that announced peace in 1918 by playing Dave Dobbyn's song Welcome Home during the service.
Many in the crowd wiped tears away as the song rang out over the park.
Lieutenant Colonel Cliff Simons said World War I had cast a long shadow over the country for decades and for many families they would never forget the human toll.
"One hundred years later, on this memorable day in this jewel of a city, in our peaceful and prosperous land, let us continue by our actions and by our words to work for peace and harmony for all people.
"Peace in our homes and communities, peace in our nation and peace in the world. Lest we forget."
