Anzac Day Civic Service packs out Events Centre

The Reverend Tom Poata delivered a thought provoking speech at this morning's Anzac Day Civic Service.

Rotorua Mayor Steve Chadwick said the city will honour its fallen Anzacs by developing a Field of Remembrance in time for the 100th anniversary of the Gallipoli landings next year.

She made the announcement at this morning's Anzac Day Civic Service held at the Energy Events Centre in front of about 2000 people.

Mrs Chadwick said she would be working with the Rotorua RSA and other organisations to develop the Field of Remembrance and also called on the Rotorua public to help choose an appropriate place for the memorial.

She said white crosses would be erected on the field to honour all of the men from the district who died during World War I.

This year's civic service was moved to the events centre due to popular demand as the former venue, the Rotorua Convention Centre, had capacity for 700 people.

Guest speaker was the Reverend Tom Poata who said New Zealanders needed to change some of their attitudes if they wanted to live up to and respect the memory of those who died to give us all freedom.

"Because of men like those ... we owe them a duty.
"We may gather as often as we want and behave as solemnly as we think befits, but it is what we do for the other 364 days of life in these islands that really matters.

"The concern is for our civil services and those who are here to uphold the law and respond to emergencies are increasingly being asked to don armour and carry weapons ... is a part of our modern Gallipoli.

"That our police should require body armour and that our St John volunteers and personnel should fear for their safety ... is totally anathema to the spirit of Gallipoli," he said.

Before the service a parade of veterans, service men and women, cadets, police, and about 300 St John cadets who were in Rotorua for their National Youth Festival, marched down Memorial Drive and up Fenton St before heading into the Government Gardens.

The parade, lead by Captain Roly Rolston (retired), stopped in front of the cenotaph to lay two wreaths before continuing on to the events centre.

- Matthew Martin