Anzac Day 2025: Commemoration events in Whanganui and wider region
'Whanganui has got a very good track record of community support on Anzac Day.
'The RSA is looking forward to getting together with the entire Whanganui community to recognise and respect the sacrifices so many New Zealand Anzacs made.'
Captain John Granville will be the guest speaker this year and will follow Whanganui Mayor Andrew Tripe's address.
In 1936, Whanganui was the first city in New Zealand to hold a dawn service.
People who want to attend the Waiouru Military Camp dawn service at 6am are advised to allow time for security checks. They will need a recognised form of identification such as a driver's licence or passport.
Marton's dawn parade is set to start at 5.40am outside BJW Motors on Wellington Rd. Guests will re-assemble on the forecourt of the Marton RSA and Citizens Memorial Hall at 5.55am for a brief wreath-laying with no speeches to be made.
A cooked breakfast will be held at Mad Tom's Restaurant from 7.30am with a $5 donation.
The Ohakea warbirds will make an Anzac Day flypast over 24 Whanganui and Manawatū locations to pay their respects.
Three aircraft will depart Royal New Zealand Air Force Base Ohakea at 9.40am.
On display will be the Spitfire and Mustang from the Air Force Heritage Flight of New Zealand and the Air Force's current ab initio and advanced training aircraft, a T-6C Texan II from the Central Flying School.
Squadron Leader Stu Anderson said it was a privilege for Heritage Flight pilots to not only honour those who sacrificed so much for their country, but to do so in aircraft flown by predecessors who died while serving.
'The purpose of the flight is to commemorate and sustain the memory of New Zealand's military aviation heritage, and to remind New Zealanders, friends and allies of our past shared sacrifice and continued commitment to global security,' he said.
Allen encourages everyone to commemorate the fallen soldiers, especially as it was also 80 years since the Victory in Europe Day and the liberation of death camps.
'This is quite a big year really, there are a few milestones - not necessarily pleasant ones - that need to be recognised,' he said.
Services and timings
Whanganui: 6.15am - Fall in for dawn parade outside Davis Library, Pukenamu Queen's Park, marching at 6.30am to the Whanganui War Memorial Centre forecourt for service.
Pākaraka: 9.30am - Service at Waitōtara County War Memorial.
Pākaitore: 11am - 28th Māori Battalion Anzac service at Pākaitore Moutoa Gardens.
Brunswick: 10am - Service at Brunswick War Memorial opposite Brunswick Hall.
Marton: 5.40am - Dawn parade outside BJW Motors, Wellington Rd, marching to Marton RSA & Citizens Memorial Hall by 5.55am. 9am - Marton Scottish Band performs at Mt View Cemetery. 2pm - Anzac Day Cenotaph and wreath-laying ceremony at Marton Park.
Advertise with NZME.
Turakina: 10am - Cenotaph at Turakina School.
Bulls: 5.45am - Dawn parade fall in outside the RSA on High St with dawn service at 6am at the Cenotaph. 9am - Bess Memorial on Forest Rd, refreshments at Flock House.
Hunterville: 6am - Dawn parade fall in outside the RSA Hall on Bruce St, marching to the cenotaph for service. 8am - Breakfast at Station Hotel. 10am - small service at Rangatira Cemetery.
Ohingaiti: 10am - Wreath will be laid at the cenotaph followed by morning tea in the Ohingaiti Hall.
Mangaweka: 5.45am - Parade begins at the Assembly of God Church, marching to memorial gates at Mangaweka School for the service.
Raetihi: 7am - Dawn service at The Centre on Seddon St followed by march to the two cemeteries. Breakfast at the Raetihi Cosmopolitan Club.
Ohakune: 10am - Service at Memorial Gates.
Waiouru: 6am - Dawn service at Waiouru Military Camp, Freyberg St. Attendees require a form of identification and must allow time for security checks. 11am - Civic service at the National Army Museum, State Highway 1. 1pm - Live Gallipoli diary readings and the National Army Museum.
Waitōtara: 11am - Wreath-laying ceremony at the Waitōtara Memorial Gates, Waitōtara Domain.
Waverley: 8.45am - Assemble outside Waverley Community Centre in preparation for 9am service followed by march to the town clock to lay the wreath.
Alton: 11am - Service at the Alton Memorial with shared lunch in the hall afterwards (bring a plate).
Pātea: 6.20am - Assemble on Chester St by the library in preparation for 6.30am march to the cenotaph.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Otago Daily Times
4 days ago
- Otago Daily Times
Warbird scholarship programme widened
A vintage Spitfire takes off for a practice flight during Warbirds over Wanaka last year. PHOTO: GREGOR RICHARDSON Warbird aircraft engineers are now eligible to apply along with Warbird pilots to the Warbirds Over Wanaka Community Trust scholarship programme, the trust has announced. Warbirds Over Wanaka general manager Ed Taylor said since 2016, scholarships worth a total of $40,000 had been awarded to younger Warbird pilots to help them get valuable time flying historic aircraft. Most of the recipients to date were involved in last year's airshow, Mr Taylor said. The scholarship programme was paused after Covid forced the cancellation of the 2020 and 2022 airshows but, following last year's successful event, the trust was now in a position to resume the programme, he said. The original scholarships were restricted to pilots, but the trust had decided to increase the number of scholarships and expand who could apply, meaning Warbird aircraft engineers were now eligible. Each scholarship would now be worth up to $10,000 following each airshow from now. The number and value of scholarships awarded would remain at the discretion of the trust's scholarship team, he said. Applications for the 2025 scholarship round open next month. — APL
NZ Herald
27-05-2025
- NZ Herald
Tairāwhiti multicultural council, music, museum and more supported by nearly $200,000 in grants
'This role is crucial in helping migrant families to navigate essential services, access resources, and build meaningful connections within Tairāwhiti.' The Haven Senior Citizen Association will receive $25,230 to help replace its current van. 'The van transports pakeke [mature people] from Tokomaru Bay to essential services, medical appointments, social events, and community gatherings in Gisborne and along the coast,' Trust Tairāwhiti wrote. 'The van has served the community for over 20 years, but has experienced significant rusting and general deterioration, making it no longer fit for purpose.' Other recipients in May Gisborne International Music Competition: $23,500 for its annual programme, which focuses on rangatahi education and empowerment in music. East Coast Museum of Technology: $15,000 for heat pump installation to help preserve artefacts while improving comfort for visitors and volunteers. Manaaki Tāngata | Victim Support: $15,000 to support the recruitment and specialist training of local kaimahi, providing free, 24/7 support for people affected by crime and traumatic events Te Aitanga a Hauiti Centre of Excellence Trust: $15,000 for a series of community events in Ūawa, including ANZAC Day commemorations, a Matariki festival and other gatherings, activities and events that enrich and foster community and cultural pride. Te Ha Ora – the Asthma and Respiratory Foundation: $15,000 for 15 school vape education workshops and a Train-the-Trainer programme equipping local educators to deliver vaping education to rangatahi. Braemar Dancing Club: $5,000 to support the delivery of the Braemar annual competition, an inclusive dancing event that encourages dancers of all abilities to perform and grow. Nona Te Ao: $5,000 for three wānanga across Tairāwhiti, engaging 237 rangatahi across 10 rural schools. These wānanga empower rangatahi Māori to overcome barriers associated with rural living by providing exposure to educational and career pathways. Te Kura Poutama Charitable Trust: $5,000 to support Ngāti Porou Rugby League (NPRL), which seeks to build on its 2024 successes. Gisborne District Council (on behalf of the Tairāwhiti Pasifika Leadership Group): $1,222 for venue hire to host a fono (gathering) for the Tairāwhiti Pasifika Leadership Group (TPLG), established after Cyclone Gabrielle to unite the diverse Pacific Island communities in Tairāwhiti.
Otago Daily Times
21-05-2025
- Otago Daily Times
Hillside memorial impresses
A Dunedin group dedicated to preserving the city's military history is delighted with a major aspect of the refurbished KiwiRail Hillside Workshops site in South Dunedin. The refurbished site, which was officially reopened last week by deputy prime minister Winston Peters, includes an impressive war memorial and memorial park. The war memorial wall holds large historic brass plaques listing the names of Hillside Workshop workers who were killed in World Wars 1 and 2. The park provides ample room for the public to attend commemorative services and includes a carved Māori sculpture and information panels detailing the site's long history and development. Members of the Otago Military History Group (OMHG), who visited the war memorial and park recently, were impressed by both the design and prominence of the memorial. OMHG co-chairman Peter Trevathan said it was great to see such an important element of Hillside Workshop's long history given prominent and dignified acknowledgement. "Everyone is very impressed with it," he said. During construction of the war memorial and park, KiwiRail operations lead Mike Beaufort and KiwiRail bridge inspector and OMHG member Bernie Flaherty liaised with lead contractor Calder Stewart on the project. Mr Beaufort said Calder Stewart had been good to work with and "very responsive" to design suggestions from the pair. "The memorial wall and the plaques look great, and we have had a lot of positive feedback from members of the public whose attention has been caught by it passing by," he said. "The intention of the memorial and park is to be a peaceful place that also highlights the history of this area and the development of Hillside Workshops from the early days." The free-standing information panels highlight Māori history, settler history, the workshops and local people. Mr Trevathan said the site had hosted its first full Anzac Day service that year, which had been a great success. OMHG member Charlie Boyes, whose great uncle Andrew Colquhoun Boyes is among the names listed on the war memorial, is thrilled with the site. A.C. Boyes was working at KiwiRail when he joined up to go and fight in World War 1 — first at Gallipoli in 1915, where he was wounded by a shell, and later in France, where he was killed by a sniper. "Having his service acknowledged here, on this impressive memorial, is very special," Mr Boyes said. Mr Trevathan said the OMHG was planning a rededication service for the Hillside Workshops war memorial, to be held at 2pm on Armistice Day, November 11. The event would include representatives of the New Zealand Defence Force and KiwiRail management. It was hoped it would involve the descendants of those named on the memorial as well, he said. "We are asking families and descendants to get in touch with us, to share any information they have about the men listed on the memorial, and perhaps any memorabilia," he said. "The more family members we can involve in the rededication service, the better — and KiwiRail staff as well." • Families and descendants interested in attending the rededication service, or who would like more information, are invited to contact Mr Trevathan by emailing petebond058@ Mr Beaufort by emailing or Mr Flaherty by emailing
