How a rare cannon became a cherished symbol of Waipawa history
The gun, first produced in 1896, was captured by units of the First NZ Expeditionary Force during World War I.
It was later returned to New Zealand and presented to Waipawa by the Government.
Waipawa and District RSA chair Terry Kingston said the cannon had needed a spruce up so the RSA came to the party.
'Our committee had some excess funds so we decided to pay for the cannon to have a refurbishment so it was looking good for Anzac Day,' Kingston said.
'We wanted to put the money to good use and knew at this stage any re-do of council's assets wouldn't be done for a couple of years.
'So we decided to do something for the community and save ratepayers money at the same time.'
But when staff at Longridge Panel Beating, Painting and Engineering in Waipukurau began sandblasting it the makeover became a much bigger job as rust and holes in the steel were exposed.
Kingston said after inspecting the damage with the council it was decided that fundamental repairs would be carried out to ensure the historic cannon would last not just for this generation, but more to come.
'It took longer than we thought and of course that increased the cost which ended up at just under $10,000.
'It's an important piece of war history and we felt it was worth the effort.'
Council contributed about $900 for work around the site at the Waipawa town clock.
The last time it had some work done on it was in 1981 when a community work scheme, with help from public donations, paid for repairs.
On Anzac Day 1982 it was returned to the community to serve as part of NZ Military history.
Mayor Alex Walker said the council has worked in partnership with the Waipawa RSA for decades to look after memorials and the annual Anzac Civic services.
'It will be lovely to see the cannon with a new coat of paint.'
As well as the cannon, the Hatuma War Memorial, near Waipukurau has also been reinstalled after vandals damaged it in April last year.
The cost to repair it was $4522.
Walker said the memorial was a sacred reminder of the sacrifices made by brave locals.
'It being vandalised was deeply upsetting, but seeing the community come together (at the unveiling) reaffirms our shared commitment to honouring our heritage,' Walker said.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scoop
2 days ago
- Scoop
Reviewing Our Strategy To Go Predator Free By 2050
Press Release – Science Media Centre Are New Zealand's upcoming predator free goals on the right track? Should we stick with the current target species list as is, or include other predators like feral cats? These are just some of the questions that the public is being invited to comment on as part of a strategy review of the Predator Free 2050 goal for the next five years. It's running in tandem with another public consultation on the next plan to implement New Zealand's biodiversity strategy for the next five years. Both plans are open for public submissions until 30 June. The SMC asked experts to comment. Professor James Russell, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Auckland, comments: 'The Predator Free 2050 strategy review signals that the New Zealand Government continues to take Predator Free New Zealand (PFNZ) seriously and is taking the opportunity to reflect on lessons from the first 10 years to fine tune the next five years. This coincides with a shift in the governance of PFNZ with the duties of the Government's original lead agency PF2050 Ltd now being transferred to the Department of Conservation (DOC). PF2050 Ltd made critical contributions to getting PFNZ underway by spearheading new projects on the ground that involved the community, enabling innovators to deliver new tools, and expanding the conservation frontier to rural and urban landscapes. 'There are some big questions the review is asking for feedback on, one of the biggest being whether the PFNZ programme should be strictly interpreted only as an eradication strategy for possums, rats and mustelids, or whether the PFNZ programme should be considered more literally as the management strategy for all non-native predators in New Zealand, and so expand its scope to include other species such as feral cats and mice (which are major predators of lizards). Importantly, whatever the outcome, introduced predators excluded from the scope of PFNZ would still be managed, and it is recognised that introduced predators are not the only threat to New Zealand's biodiversity. 'The strategy for the next five years also needs to get the balance of investment right among planning, innovating and doing. Complete eradication of every last individual is not something that can be rushed into, and we need to make sure the PFNZ programme is being implemented in such a way so as to maximise the probability of successful eradication while minimising the costs, all the while generating the best outcomes for biodiversity. To ensure accountability, a set of new 2030 goals are proposed against which progress can be assessed to ensure PFNZ is continuing to proceed in the right direction at the right speed. 'To some extent the feasibility of achieving a Predator Free New Zealand is not so much a question of technical nor social feasibility, but simply one of cost – using technical and social innovation can we reduce the currently high cost of eradicating the target predators to a lower price which is affordable and acceptable to the New Zealand public and government. Predator Free New Zealand was always going to be an inter-generational programme and it is only a quarter of the way through its life, but its achievements are clear already and so is the fact that New Zealanders from all walks of life support these achievements.' Conflict of interest statement: 'James has received funding from the Department of Conservation, PF2050 Ltd and Zero Invasive Predators. He is on the organising committee of the Island Invasives 2026 conference.' Dr Duane Peltzer, Principal Scientist, Ecosystem Ecology, Manaaki Whenua Landcare Research, comments: Note: Dr Peltzer is commenting on both the Biodiversity Strategy review and the Predator Free 2050 review. 'The fate of our indigenous species and ecosystems is strongly affected by chronic threats from biological invasions including weeds, pests and diseases, and exacerbated by climate change. What is clear from Te Mana o te Taiao (the NZ Biodiversity Strategy) and embedded initiatives like Predator Free 2050 is that current efforts and approaches require greater resourcing and sustained effort to address these intertwined crises. 'The pair of implementation discussion documents out for public comment highlight major themes and critical actions clearly, and emphasise that co-ordinated actions are required across central and regional government. Perhaps unsurprisingly, there's a stronger emphasis on economics, investment and resourcing of biodiversity and conservation management than has featured previously. 'The focus throughout these implementation plans is on government agency actions, and some consideration is given to supporting or resourcing communities, landowners and business (Action 6). However, there are many additional opportunities, and perhaps hope, for making new progress toward biodiversity goals like: Considering the potential role of international 'nature-based' investments for biodiversity gains; and, Building skills and capacity for innovation of our workforce could be supported through major science system reforms including the emerging 'public research organisations' (including my own organisation becoming a PRO for 'bioeconomy') and universities; Meaningful action to improve local and indigenous people's role in biodiversity management is seen as a priority internationally, and could build strongly on aspirations for land and economic welfare beyond 'increasing protection of biodiversity on private and Māori land'. 'Most themes and critical actions not only require co-ordination or innovation among government agencies as repeatedly recommended by the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment, but rely crucially on social acceptance and support. A tangible example of this is considering the inclusion of cats as part of predator free activities: technical progress on management will fail without better approaches to navigate the difficult social dimensions of feral cats as pets and predators. Similarly, other introduced species like deer and pines are loved or loathed depending on species, location and people's perceptions. This reflects our pluralism for biodiversity and biosecurity that is scarcely acknowledged in these plans, yet pervasive. Therein lies a grand unresolved challenge of 'implementation'; how do we best achieve aspirational goals across diverse communities and landscapes?' Conflict of interest statement: 'I'm a past member and co-leader of the 'Advancing our knowledge' Predator Free 2050 collaborative group, was engaged with development of te mana o te taiao as part of the New Zealand's Biological Science Heritage National Science Challenge, and am the incoming Portfolio Leader for the Managing Invasive Species Group within Manaaki Whenua which includes research on predator ecology and management.' Dr Courtney Addison, Senior Lecturer, School of Science in Society, Victoria University of Wellington, comments: Comment on inclusion of cats 'One of the key developments in the Predator Free Strategy Review is the question of whether the PF remit should expand to include cats, mice and hedgehogs. 'Until now Predator Free has, culturally speaking, focused on three relatively 'easy' targets: in Aotearoa, rats (excluding kiore) and possums have strong, undesirable cultural associations and are even reviled. This has made it relatively straightforward to propose killing those species, and indeed, the many active PF projects around the country reflect a widespread willingness to do so. 'Cats and to a lesser extent hedgehogs are a different proposition. Many New Zealanders own and care for cats, share their homes with them, and regard them as companions or even family members. They grieve cats when they die, and often go to great lengths to ensure their comfort and longevity. The Strategy document distinguishes between feral, stray, and domestic cats, but whether these distinctions are seen as meaningful by wider communities remains to be seen. 'PF2025 has anticipated these complexities, and the current consultation is a first step to solicit people's feelings about feral cat control. It's also a good opportunity to start a more expansive conversation about what kind of lives and relationships we want to have with other species, and how we might cultivate those. On a different note, it is surprising that the PF document makes no mention of animal welfare.' Comment on innovation 'Predator Free 2050 is such a tricky undertaking to write about. It represents a massive bet on the power of science and innovation at a time when those very things have been gutted by government. It's also a big swing for an aspirational environmental future—at a time when government has both withdrawn funding for conservation and made multiple policy decisions that directly jeopardise the environment. 'What to make of these seemingly incoherent moves? They reflect very transparently what innovation studies has documented in case after case—that bids for innovation, even if well intentioned and productive, are often used to justify the deferral of less flashy but important work in the near term. (It's worth noting that the 'linear model of innovation' that emerged in the mid-1900s was itself predicated on a link between basic and applied research. This model has been widely critiqued, but its imprint in the PF Strategy raises questions given the newly constrained funding environment for basic research.) 'Of course, that's not an argument against innovation or R&D, but we should think carefully about the dynamics that come with this path forward—especially given the aim to generate private and philanthropic funding. We have a recent cautionary tale in the government's stalled attempt to meet its greenhouse gas emissions reduction via privately operated carbon capture. Going all in on innovation for predator control while other aspects of the environment languish may be politically convenient, but irresponsible.' Conflict of interest statement: 'I currently hold a Marsden Fast Start to explore the social complexities of 1080 use in Aotearoa.' Dr Grant Norbury, Principal Researcher, Manaaki Whenua Landcare Research, comments: 'A review of the Predator Free programme is a very good idea. The four objectives proposed over the next five years are sound, but I worry that by 2050 we will still be struggling to develop the necessary tools and social licence to remove every individual target pest from the mainland. There is no doubt that better predator control methods and improved outcomes for some native fauna will be achieved, but there is a massive difference between developing better ways to reduce pest numbers versus removing every individual. And at what cost? What other conservation options could we spend the money on to achieve more reliable outcomes? Eradication of any pest requires a specific set of conditions that must be met, otherwise there is no point starting. We need the right technology to remove every individual (or very close to it) from every nook and cranny in New Zealand, whether it's a remote side valley in the backcountry of rugged Fiordland, or in a busy suburb in downtown Auckland occupied by thousands of people. Predators are like us – they have personalities, some are very shy and cautious of anything that looks different in their environment. If we cannot make every individual interact with whatever technology we devise to remove them, we're not going to win. Also, people will complicate matters. New Zealand is world-renowned for eradicating pests, but these successes have been almost entirely on uninhabited islands. On the mainland, we need to deal with the complexity of 5.2 million people going about their lives in towns, cities, farms, and industry. Pest eradication amongst millions of people will be a massive challenge.'
Scoop
2 days ago
- Scoop
Reviewing Our Strategy To Go Predator Free By 2050
Are New Zealand's upcoming predator free goals on the right track? Should we stick with the current target species list as is, or include other predators like feral cats? These are just some of the questions that the public is being invited to comment on as part of a strategy review of the Predator Free 2050 goal for the next five years. It's running in tandem with another public consultation on the next plan to implement New Zealand's biodiversity strategy for the next five years. Both plans are open for public submissions until 30 June. The SMC asked experts to comment. Professor James Russell, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Auckland, comments: 'The Predator Free 2050 strategy review signals that the New Zealand Government continues to take Predator Free New Zealand (PFNZ) seriously and is taking the opportunity to reflect on lessons from the first 10 years to fine tune the next five years. This coincides with a shift in the governance of PFNZ with the duties of the Government's original lead agency PF2050 Ltd now being transferred to the Department of Conservation (DOC). PF2050 Ltd made critical contributions to getting PFNZ underway by spearheading new projects on the ground that involved the community, enabling innovators to deliver new tools, and expanding the conservation frontier to rural and urban landscapes. 'There are some big questions the review is asking for feedback on, one of the biggest being whether the PFNZ programme should be strictly interpreted only as an eradication strategy for possums, rats and mustelids, or whether the PFNZ programme should be considered more literally as the management strategy for all non-native predators in New Zealand, and so expand its scope to include other species such as feral cats and mice (which are major predators of lizards). Importantly, whatever the outcome, introduced predators excluded from the scope of PFNZ would still be managed, and it is recognised that introduced predators are not the only threat to New Zealand's biodiversity. 'The strategy for the next five years also needs to get the balance of investment right among planning, innovating and doing. Complete eradication of every last individual is not something that can be rushed into, and we need to make sure the PFNZ programme is being implemented in such a way so as to maximise the probability of successful eradication while minimising the costs, all the while generating the best outcomes for biodiversity. To ensure accountability, a set of new 2030 goals are proposed against which progress can be assessed to ensure PFNZ is continuing to proceed in the right direction at the right speed. 'To some extent the feasibility of achieving a Predator Free New Zealand is not so much a question of technical nor social feasibility, but simply one of cost – using technical and social innovation can we reduce the currently high cost of eradicating the target predators to a lower price which is affordable and acceptable to the New Zealand public and government. Predator Free New Zealand was always going to be an inter-generational programme and it is only a quarter of the way through its life, but its achievements are clear already and so is the fact that New Zealanders from all walks of life support these achievements.' Conflict of interest statement: 'James has received funding from the Department of Conservation, PF2050 Ltd and Zero Invasive Predators. He is on the organising committee of the Island Invasives 2026 conference.' Dr Duane Peltzer, Principal Scientist, Ecosystem Ecology, Manaaki Whenua Landcare Research, comments: Note: Dr Peltzer is commenting on both the Biodiversity Strategy review and the Predator Free 2050 review. 'The fate of our indigenous species and ecosystems is strongly affected by chronic threats from biological invasions including weeds, pests and diseases, and exacerbated by climate change. What is clear from Te Mana o te Taiao (the NZ Biodiversity Strategy) and embedded initiatives like Predator Free 2050 is that current efforts and approaches require greater resourcing and sustained effort to address these intertwined crises. 'The pair of implementation discussion documents out for public comment highlight major themes and critical actions clearly, and emphasise that co-ordinated actions are required across central and regional government. Perhaps unsurprisingly, there's a stronger emphasis on economics, investment and resourcing of biodiversity and conservation management than has featured previously. 'The focus throughout these implementation plans is on government agency actions, and some consideration is given to supporting or resourcing communities, landowners and business (Action 6). However, there are many additional opportunities, and perhaps hope, for making new progress toward biodiversity goals like: Considering the potential role of international 'nature-based' investments for biodiversity gains; and, Building skills and capacity for innovation of our workforce could be supported through major science system reforms including the emerging 'public research organisations' (including my own organisation becoming a PRO for 'bioeconomy') and universities; Meaningful action to improve local and indigenous people's role in biodiversity management is seen as a priority internationally, and could build strongly on aspirations for land and economic welfare beyond 'increasing protection of biodiversity on private and Māori land'. 'Most themes and critical actions not only require co-ordination or innovation among government agencies as repeatedly recommended by the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment, but rely crucially on social acceptance and support. A tangible example of this is considering the inclusion of cats as part of predator free activities: technical progress on management will fail without better approaches to navigate the difficult social dimensions of feral cats as pets and predators. Similarly, other introduced species like deer and pines are loved or loathed depending on species, location and people's perceptions. This reflects our pluralism for biodiversity and biosecurity that is scarcely acknowledged in these plans, yet pervasive. Therein lies a grand unresolved challenge of 'implementation'; how do we best achieve aspirational goals across diverse communities and landscapes?' Conflict of interest statement: 'I'm a past member and co-leader of the 'Advancing our knowledge' Predator Free 2050 collaborative group, was engaged with development of te mana o te taiao as part of the New Zealand's Biological Science Heritage National Science Challenge, and am the incoming Portfolio Leader for the Managing Invasive Species Group within Manaaki Whenua which includes research on predator ecology and management.' Dr Courtney Addison, Senior Lecturer, School of Science in Society, Victoria University of Wellington, comments: Comment on inclusion of cats 'One of the key developments in the Predator Free Strategy Review is the question of whether the PF remit should expand to include cats, mice and hedgehogs. 'Until now Predator Free has, culturally speaking, focused on three relatively 'easy' targets: in Aotearoa, rats (excluding kiore) and possums have strong, undesirable cultural associations and are even reviled. This has made it relatively straightforward to propose killing those species, and indeed, the many active PF projects around the country reflect a widespread willingness to do so. 'Cats and to a lesser extent hedgehogs are a different proposition. Many New Zealanders own and care for cats, share their homes with them, and regard them as companions or even family members. They grieve cats when they die, and often go to great lengths to ensure their comfort and longevity. The Strategy document distinguishes between feral, stray, and domestic cats, but whether these distinctions are seen as meaningful by wider communities remains to be seen. 'PF2025 has anticipated these complexities, and the current consultation is a first step to solicit people's feelings about feral cat control. It's also a good opportunity to start a more expansive conversation about what kind of lives and relationships we want to have with other species, and how we might cultivate those. On a different note, it is surprising that the PF document makes no mention of animal welfare.' Comment on innovation 'Predator Free 2050 is such a tricky undertaking to write about. It represents a massive bet on the power of science and innovation at a time when those very things have been gutted by government. It's also a big swing for an aspirational environmental future—at a time when government has both withdrawn funding for conservation and made multiple policy decisions that directly jeopardise the environment. 'What to make of these seemingly incoherent moves? They reflect very transparently what innovation studies has documented in case after case—that bids for innovation, even if well intentioned and productive, are often used to justify the deferral of less flashy but important work in the near term. (It's worth noting that the 'linear model of innovation' that emerged in the mid-1900s was itself predicated on a link between basic and applied research. This model has been widely critiqued, but its imprint in the PF Strategy raises questions given the newly constrained funding environment for basic research.) 'Of course, that's not an argument against innovation or R&D, but we should think carefully about the dynamics that come with this path forward—especially given the aim to generate private and philanthropic funding. We have a recent cautionary tale in the government's stalled attempt to meet its greenhouse gas emissions reduction via privately operated carbon capture. Going all in on innovation for predator control while other aspects of the environment languish may be politically convenient, but irresponsible.' Conflict of interest statement: 'I currently hold a Marsden Fast Start to explore the social complexities of 1080 use in Aotearoa.' Dr Grant Norbury, Principal Researcher, Manaaki Whenua Landcare Research, comments: 'A review of the Predator Free programme is a very good idea. The four objectives proposed over the next five years are sound, but I worry that by 2050 we will still be struggling to develop the necessary tools and social licence to remove every individual target pest from the mainland. There is no doubt that better predator control methods and improved outcomes for some native fauna will be achieved, but there is a massive difference between developing better ways to reduce pest numbers versus removing every individual. And at what cost? What other conservation options could we spend the money on to achieve more reliable outcomes? Eradication of any pest requires a specific set of conditions that must be met, otherwise there is no point starting. We need the right technology to remove every individual (or very close to it) from every nook and cranny in New Zealand, whether it's a remote side valley in the backcountry of rugged Fiordland, or in a busy suburb in downtown Auckland occupied by thousands of people. Predators are like us – they have personalities, some are very shy and cautious of anything that looks different in their environment. If we cannot make every individual interact with whatever technology we devise to remove them, we're not going to win. Also, people will complicate matters. New Zealand is world-renowned for eradicating pests, but these successes have been almost entirely on uninhabited islands. On the mainland, we need to deal with the complexity of 5.2 million people going about their lives in towns, cities, farms, and industry. Pest eradication amongst millions of people will be a massive challenge.'
Scoop
5 days ago
- Scoop
1st NZSAS Regiment Marks 70th Anniversary
For 70 years the New Zealand Special Air Service (NZSAS) has been deployed on some of the most complex, challenging and dangerous missions faced by the New Zealand Defence Force, with the ultimate goal always being to protect New Zealand, its people and interests. The NZSAS was raised as a response to a strategic dilemma in the 1950s, when the New Zealand Government wanted to support the British in defending Malaya against the threat of communist expansion, whilst recognizing our comparatively small Defence Force and resources. As a result, a single NZSAS Squadron was raised and deployed to give New Zealand a credible impact across both military and political circles. From its humble beginnings the NZSAS has since grown to become a full Regiment that gives the Government of the day a range of high-readiness, highly effective military options to advance and protect its interests. Chief of Army Major General Rose King says NZSAS operators have played a pivotal role in a number of significant engagements over the course of the unit's existence. 'Our Special Forces personnel are among the best in the world at what they do. They deploy into places that others can't, they can achieve things that larger conventional units simply couldn't. Their sense of service over self is second to none, and their will to succeed and achieve their mission is extraordinary,' Major General Rose King said. Throughout its history, members of the NZSAS have been deployed throughout South East Asia and the Pacific, from Malaya to Timor Leste, Thailand to Papua New Guinea. The Unit has also contributed to global peace keeping and peace monitoring missions, with NZSAS operators later being heavily involved in the Middle East, including reconnaissance operations and partnering with Special Police Forces in Afghanistan. The Afghanistan campaign was bookended with a NZSAS team leading the ground evacuation of nearly 400 people to safety following the Taliban's return to power in 2021. The Commanding Officer of 1st New Zealand Special Air Service Regiment says the Regiment can only succeed with the support and sustainment of a world-class army and Defence Force. 'From the jungles of South East Asia and the Pacific, to the deserts, mountains and alleyways of the middle east and beyond, New Zealand's Special Air Service Regiment has always stood ready for New Zealand, and always will be,' the Commanding Officer said. 'For 70 years SAS, Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD), Commando, and Special Operations enablers have delivered whenever Government has asked, and whenever the Chief of Defence Force has tasked. From its early focus on special reconnaissance and deep infiltration in the jungle, the Regiment has developed counter-terrorism, direct action and special recovery capabilities in recent decades. Commando and EOD trades have been established in order to support Police and other agencies when responding to new threats at home, with further advances across intelligence, communications, logistics, female engagement and medical specialties to provide special forces commanders with the broadest range of options and support. 'Whenever they're called upon, whatever the task, our NZSAS members are always ready to deploy at immediate notice in order to uphold the values we hold so important in New Zealand. They are a huge credit to not only Ngāti Tūmatauenga, the New Zealand Army and the wider Defence Force, but should be a source of pride for the country as a whole,' Major General King said. The Regiment's Commanding Officer says this weekend is a special occasion to reflect on what has been a significant legacy by those who went before and will be marked with a series of events for both current and former members. It included the unveiling of new pou at Papakura Military Camp's memorial area earlier this week. 'The memorial area is where the Regiment records its whakapapa. It's where we thank those who have gone before and remember those who have paid the ultimate price. It is the spiritual hub of our camp and so these new pou carry a huge significance for us,' the Commanding Officer said. 'We will reflect not just on the operational successes, but also the vigilance and dedication it takes to train and prepare at home, to maintain standards, to develop new tactics, and to 'hold the pager' for crisis response.' Major General King said a lot has changed within the Regiment over the course of its seven decades, including evolved training methods, adapting to the changing nature of warfare, the physical locations of its home base and the hundreds of personnel and staff who have supported, enabled and maintained the Regiment over the decades. 'But many things have not, and will not change; the operational experience, professionalism and the unrelenting pursuit of excellence that embodies every member of New Zealand's Special Forces.'
