Anzac Day in Palmerston North: An opportunity to remember and reflect
Published on 19 April 2023
Anzac Day holds a special place in Palmerston North’s annual event calendar and will be commemorated on Tuesday, 25 April in Te Marae o Hine – The Square.
The day will begin with a 6am Dawn Service of Remembrance, followed by a Civic Commemoration Service at 9am to pay respect to New Zealand’s fallen soldiers and to honour returned servicemen and women.
Palmerston North City Council Head of Events, Luke McIndoe says we will be going back to the usual two services this year.
“We’ve been busy working together with the Palmerston North Anzac and Armistice Day organising committee to arrange this year’s Anzac Day commemorations and we’re pleased to see our services returning to normal this year. Last Anzac Day we had to exercise some extra precautions and hold just one service at dawn, due to the Covid-19 situation in our community.”
The Dawn Service of Remembrance will begin with a parade, followed by wreath-laying by veterans and service personnel, to commemorate their comrades in arms.
The Civic Commemoration Service will begin at 9am and registered community groups will be participating by laying a wreath or marching in the parade.
“Taking part in the Civic Commemoration Service is a meaningful way to honour and remember those who have served our country.”
Both services will commence with parades shortly before their official openings at 6am and 9am. If people wish to witness the parades, they should arrive 5 minutes earlier.
Both services will run for 50 minutes to an hour.
"We encourage people to come prepared for the services, making sure they’ve had breakfast and some water. We also welcome people to bring a fold-out chair to sit on, as seating may be limited.”
In the lead up to Anzac Day, a few events and exhibitions will be held in and around the city.
In collaboration with Centrepoint Theatre and Te Manawa, a Voices of Gallipoli performance will be held at Te Manawa on Sunday 23 April at 1.30pm. People will be able to hear a collection of verbatim testimonies from veterans who fought at Gallipoli and lived to tell the tale.
A presentation, Gallipoli – Muddle, Myth and Meaning will be held at the Central Library on Monday 24 April at 6pm. This will be presented by LtCol (Rtd) Dr Glyn Harper, QSM, a renowned New Zealand military historian and author, who will give his viewpoint on the Gallipoli Campaign in the First World War.
“We’re proud to support these events and pay tribute to those who fought for our country.”
The following exhibitions will also be on display:
- 1943 display: 80th anniversary of World War Two activities for NZ forces, Central Library, 14 April to 24 May
- Forget Me Not: Remembering your loved ones in World War One, Te Manawa, 20 April to 30 April
Other Anzac Day services in the area include:
- Ashhurst Cenotaph – 6am and 12pm
- Bunnythorpe War Memorial – 9.30am
- Māori Battalion Hall – 10.15am
- Pohangina Cemetery – 10am
For more information, visit pncc.govt.nz/anzac