Thousands attend Anzac Day services across Hawke’s Bay

A big crowd attended the Hastings dawn service on Anzac Day. Photo / Jack Riddell

Thousands of people attended Anzac Day services across Hawke’s Bay, honouring those who died and fought for the country – including special tributes for one of the region’s late World War II veterans.

More than 30 Anzac Day services were being held across the rohe on Friday - from Mahia, Nūhaka and Wairoa in the North, to Woodville, Dannevirke, Ormondville, Norsewood and Makotuku in the south, with many attracting large crowds.

During the Hastings dawn service at Civic Square, Dr Jeremy MacLeod reflected on the life of Waimārama-raised Sir Bom Gillies, the last surviving member of the Māori Battalion, who died in November aged 99.

Gillies was involved in the Battle of Monte Cassino in Italy in 1944, where many of the 28th Māori Battalion were killed.

The Hastings dawn service. Photo / Jack Riddell

MacLeod spoke to the crowd of around 1000 about the time he spent with Gillies, saying Gillies treated him like a “mokopuna and a friend”.

MacLeod wore his great-great-grandfather’s medals and his late grandfather’s Māori Battalion jersey, which he said was “an incredible honour”.

At the end of his speech, MacLeod sang Buonanotte Mi Amore, an Italian song translating to “Goodnight My Sweetheart”, that was one of the many favourites of the 28th Māori Battalion.

Steve Kendall was among those who attended the dawn service. Photo / Jack Riddell

Among the crowd was Steve Kendall from Gisborne, who spent 40 years with the Royal New Zealand Air Force.

“Anzac Day will just go on and on, it will get bigger and bigger,” he said.

“More and more people get involved now that the world is not at peace, that’s the bottom line.”

Stuart Knauf wore his medals from his 24 years of service with the Royal New Zealand Naval Volunteer Reserves, alongside his father’s medals.

“He served in the Second World War in Guadalcanal as an army nurse and he was a conscientious objector, but he served as a noncombatant,” Knauf said.

“He didn’t take any weapons, but he served in the frontlines.”

Knauf was thinking of the people “a lot younger” than himself who went to war and never came home.

“I’ve always been thinking about them and the sacrifices they made for us.”

Stuart Knauf and Ken Haines at the Hastings Dawn Service. Photo / Jack Riddell

Ken Haines, Stortford Lodge Rotary president, laid a wreath on behalf of the club, and proudly wore his father’s medals.

“Dad fought from Holland right through to Germany and then demobbed after the end of the war and came to New Zealand,” Haines said.

“It’s very moving to be here, it always is.”

Master of Ceremonies Charles Ropitini said his focus was to ensure that everybody had a good personal moment.

He said he expected the Hastings service to grow in numbers year on year.

The Napier dawn service attracted a large crowd. Photo / Gary Hamilton-Irvine

In Napier, over 1000 people turned out for the dawn service at the Sound Shell.

Royal NZ Air Force Warrant Officer Darryn Wells spoke to the crowd, reflecting on the sacrifice of servicemen and servicewomen in World War II.

He said as news of the cruelty of Nazi concentration camps reached New Zealand at the end of the war, that “confirmed for New Zealanders that the war that had been forced upon them in 1939 had indeed been a just struggle against evil”.

He encouraged people to continue to honour those who fought in the war.

The Napier dawn service. Photo / Gary Hamilton-Irvine

“When we leave here today, we might like to consider what we individuals and as a country can do to continue to uphold the rule of law, freedom and basic human rights.

“In doing this we can continue to honour in a powerful way the memory of those servicemen and women who came before us and sacrificed so much for our nation and our values.”

Guest speaker Joseph Pedler echoed that sentiment.

“The significance of Anzac Day extends far beyond reflection of the past, it is a reminder to draw strength from the lessons of those who have gone before us,” he said.

“The Anzac spirit - born of hardship and forged in battle - continues to resonate within every Australian and New Zealander.

“It is a spirit of unity, courage and a duty to our countries, it binds us together and inspires us to face challenges both big and small with the same determination and resilience.

“In our communities, the Anzac spirit is reflected in the way we care for one another - extend kindness and stand together in times of need.”

Parents Toby and Melissa Lay took their 8-month-old son, Graeme, despite the chilly conditions.

“It’s an important tradition and it is his first Anzac Day, and Melissa’s first one too,” Toby said.

Melissa, originally from South Africa, said it was special to attend her first Anzac Day event.

“It is really beautiful.”

Parents Toby and Melissa Lay with 8-month-old Graeme at the Napier dawn service. Photo / Gary Hamilton-Irvine

The Anzac Day service at Havelock North War Memorial. Photo / Jack Riddell

About 500 people attended the Havelock North citizens’ service at 9am, which closed the roads around the town’s war memorial.

Master of Ceremonies Wayne Mowat said it was a fantastic turnout.

“People have come, they wanted to sing and it’s just lovely,” he said.

Speakers at the service included Guy Wellwood, who spoke about the trials and successes the Anzac forces have had through the years, and Bruce Robertson spoke of his father the Anzac who was captured and spent several years in a Japanese internment camp before returning to Australia, eventually moving to Gisborne with his family.

Logan Potts wearing his great-grandfather Sergeant George Palmer's medals from World War II at the Havelock North citizens service for Anzac Day. Photo / Jack Riddell

Logan Potts was there wearing his great-grandfather, Sergeant George Palmer’s, medals from World War II.

“I’m really proud to wear them,” he said.

Hastings ambassador Henare O’Keefe read the Ode of Remembrance at the ceremony. He said what impressed him the most was the number of young people in attendance.

“I see them as vessels of peace,” he said.

“They’re going to go where we never went and that’s no wars. That’s how I see it.”

Napier WWI plaque unveiled

A restored plaque honouring the 148 Napier Swimming Club members who served in World War I has been unveiled - once again.

It was first unveiled in 1920 and was originally sited at the entrance to the Napier Municipal Baths.

The new home of the plaque. Photo / Gary Hamilton-Irvine

Ocean Spa was built and opened on the site of those baths in 2003, and the plaque has been out of public view in storage for many years.

The plaque has now been restored and was unveiled on Anzac Day at its new home in the laneway between Ocean Spa and the War Memorial Centre.