Latest news with #TaurangaRSA
Scoop
28-04-2025
- General
- Scoop
Lest We Forget: Tauranga Community Pays Tribute On Anzac Day
This year's Anzac Day services in Tauranga brought the community together in remembrance, honouring the sacrifice and service of those who have served, and currently serve. Before the sun began to rise, poignant dawn services began at war memorials in Tauranga, Mount Maunganui, Pāpāmoa, and Poutūterangi Marae in Te Puna. The stillness of the morning provided a powerful backdrop for reflection and respect. A large crowd gathered at the Tauranga RSA for its final Anzac Day service at the Cameron Road site, marking the end of an era with heartfelt tributes. 'There was a massive turnout, the biggest crowd in years, and a strong showing of Naval personnel and cadets, which was very special for our final service,' said Tauranga RSA President, Morton Anderson. 'It's been a privilege to host our community here each Anzac Day.' The large crowd at the Tauranga RSA Dawn Service. Photo credit, Hunter Studio. Throughout the morning, commemorations continued with civic services in Mount Maunganui and at Memorial Park in Tauranga, there was a remembrance service at Pyes Pā Cemetery, and gatherings at many other locations across the Western Bay of Plenty. Many cadets, students from local high schools, and families with young children were in attendance and took part in the services, offering a moving reminder that the spirit of Anzac endures across generations. Tauranga Mayor Mahé Drysdale addressed the crowd at the Tauranga Civic Memorial Service at Memorial Park – his first Anzac Day in a formal civic role. He acknowledged all those who attended, especially the RSAs for their ongoing commitment to veterans and their whānau. 'Each year on this day, we remember the events of 25 April 1915, when New Zealand troops landed at Anzac Cove on the Gallipoli Peninsula,' said Mayor Drysdale. 'That campaign cost the lives of many young soldiers and left a lasting impact on the families and communities they left behind.' 'But from that hardship, the Anzac spirit – of courage, mateship, and endurance – was born. These values continue to shape what it means to be a Kiwi, or an Aussie, and they remain as important today as ever.' A particularly special moment during the Tauranga Civic Memorial Service was the recognition of WWII veteran John Clark, who turned 100 on Anzac Day. Mr Clark received a bouquet and a heartfelt tribute from those in attendance. World War II veteran John Clark speaks with Mayor Mahé Drysdale at the Tauranga Civic Memorial Service. Photo credit, Hunter Studio. This year's services served as a meaningful reminder of the significance of Anzac Day and the enduring gratitude felt across our city. Council acknowledges and sincerely thanks the local RSAs, community groups, and council staff whose tireless efforts behind the scenes ensured the successful delivery of these important commemorations.
NZ Herald
24-04-2025
- General
- NZ Herald
Tauranga's Ninja Knits create poppy display for Anzac Day at RSA
'It's an honour to contribute to such a meaningful site for Anzac Day.' The knitted poppies were mounted on the ends of knitting needles and 'planted' in the RSA's entrance garden to create a stunning carpet of red. 'We've also made wreaths. At the RSA's request we will be placing them alongside the walkway and also some to be seen from the road,' Pedersen said. The poppy installation serves as a powerful reminder of the sacrifices made by those who served and died in wars, encapsulating the sentiment of 'Lest We Forget'. It also underscores the mission of Tauranga RSA, which provides support, advocacy and camaraderie to current and former members of the New Zealand Defence Force, their families and descendants. 'What a fantastic idea and tribute to the veterans departed and surviving,' Tauranga RSA president Morton Anderson said. 'I commend the group for their endeavour.' The RSA building, located in Greerton, sits next to the Tauranga RSA Cenotaph, where the Anzac Day service and parade will begin at 5.45am. After the commemoration, attendees will be invited to walk through the striking display of red poppies and enjoy a cooked breakfast in the RSA's restaurant.
NZ Herald
23-04-2025
- General
- NZ Herald
Your guide to Anzac Day events in Tauranga and the Western Bay
Anzac Day services to remember those who landed and fought in Gallipoli, and those who have served in conflicts in the century since, will be held across Tauranga and the Western Bay of Plenty. Tauranga Mayor Mahé Drysdale will deliver the welcome at the city's civic memorial service. 'On Anzac Day, communities around New Zealand come together to honour those who served, remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice, and acknowledge the contributions of our returned and current service personnel,' Drysdale said. 'I encourage everyone to attend a service and pay tribute to those who have served and sacrificed for our country.' Tauranga RSA will host its final dawn service before relocating later this year. It has been hosting dawn services at its current location since 2009. This year's event will feature a special address and participation from HMNZS Te Mana and the New Zealand Defence Force's Hauraki unit. Navy veteran and Tauranga RSA president Morton Anderson said the dawn service would be a significant moment of remembrance. 'It's important to keep the memory alive, to pay respects to those who served and those who never made it home,' Anderson said. 'These events are not just about remembering history, they're about ensuring future generations understand the sacrifices made.' Katikati RSA president and Vietnam veteran Trevor Gilbert said this year was particularly poignant as it had been 110 years since the Gallipoli landing and 80 years since the end of WWII. 'Lest we forget,' Gilbert said. 'It's important to honour those who have served as there are many of us, not just the two World Wars, there's been many conflicts since the end of World War II. 'You make friends for life with those who served. We've experienced some tough situations – you form a bond that is never broken.' 2025 Anzac Day services Katikati Dawn service 5.45am: Assemble at Katikati Library carpark, march to Katikati War Memorial Hall. 6am: Service at the square in front of the War Memorial Hall. Maketū Dawn service 5.30am: Muster at the Landing (shop). 6am: March to Remembrance Rock, Park Rd Reserve. Breakfast at Whakaue Marae (gold coin koha). Mount Maunganui Dawn service 5.45am: Assemble at Mount Drury. 5.55am: March off. 6am: Service begins at Mount Maunganui Cenotaph. Park and ride is available at this service Advertisement Advertise with NZME. Civic parade 9.15am: Assemble at Mount Drury Reserve, Hopukiore. 9.25am: March off. 9.30am: Service begins. Ōmokoroa Dawn service 6am: Service and wreath-laying at Remembrance Cairn, Gerald Crapp Historic Reserve. Ōropi 10.30am: Service at Ōropi Memorial Hall and Community Centre. Pāpāmoa Dawn service 5.30am: Assemble at car parking area at the Pāpāmoa Memorial, Stella Place. 5.55am: March off. 6am: Service begins. Pyes Pā Remembrance service 11.00am, Pyes Pā Cemetery. Te Puke Civic service 9.50am: Civic Parade - march assembled opposite Te Puke War Memorial Hall. 10am: Service starts at Te Puke War Memorial Hall. 11am: Wreath laying at Cenotaph. 11.30am: March off. Everyone is invited to attend the Citizens RSA Te Puke for light refreshments. Tuapiro Dawn service Advertisement Advertise with NZME. 6am: Tuapiro Marae Dawn Service, 24 Hikurangi Rd, Katikati. Tauranga Tauranga Moana Tumatauenga Anzac Commemorations 5.45am: Poututerangi Marae, 26 Pitua Road, Te Puna. Tauranga Dawn Service 5.45am: Assemble at Hayes Ave, Greerton. 5.55am: March off. 6am: Service begins. Tauranga Civic Memorial Service 8.45am: Parade assemble by Queen Elizabeth Youth Centre. 8.55am: March off. 9am: Service begins. Park and ride and wreath laying are available at this service Waihī Beach / Waihī Dawn service Advertisement Advertise with NZME. 6am: Dawn Parade and service at the Waihī Beach RSA. 6.30am: Breakfast buffet at the Waihī RSA. Wreath-laying service 8am: Waihī Cemetery. Waihi Heritage Vision and Tunnelling Company descendants 9am: Tunnellers Memorial Reserve, Gilmour Lake, Waihī. Parade 10.45am: Waihī RSA march to Waihī Memorial Hall. Memorial service 11am: Waihī Memorial Hall. Waitangi, Te Puke Dawn service Advertise with NZME. 5am: Begin gathering and parking at Moko Marae. 6am: Service begins in front of the war memorial gates at TKKM o Te Matai Kura. Please bring photos of whānau who have served, to display. 7am: Head to Moko Marae for parakuihi.
