Anzac honours those soldiers who fought at Gallipoli during World War I. It also commemorates those who have served in all conflicts that the country has been involved in. This Anzac we remember the contribution to war by our Pacific neighbours, and how their people, culture and homes have been shaped by conflict. We honour all soldiers’ selfless sacrifice and celebrate the freedom and privileges they secured for us all. This Anzac we remember war in the Pacific.
Programme:
6AM – Dawn Service, Cenotaph
6.45AM – Museum opens to the public (including Columbus Café)
6.45AM – 5PM
• Digital Book of Remembrance, Grand Foyer
• Military service research using the Cenotaph Database and Armoury reference materials, Armoury Information Centre
• Slideshow from the collections – Maori and Pacific people at war and home landscapes, Te Kakano Information Centre
• Slideshow from the collections – Pacific food, flora and fauna, Natural History Information Centre
• Identification of medals and badges, Armoury Information Centre
7.30AM – Methodist Choir, Hall of Memories
7.30AM – Join us for a free 45-minute guided tour of our War Memorial galleries including WWI, WWII, Planes and Sir Keith Parker, Meet at the red arrow outside the Armoury Information centre
8.30AM – Auckland Youth Choir, Hall of Memories
8.30AM – Join us for a free 45-minute guided tour of our War Memorial galleries including WWI, WWII, War in the Pacific and Naval stories, Meet at the red arrow outside the Armoury Information centre
9-10.30AM – Hear from Christine Liava’a, family historian and convenor of the Pacific Islands Interests Group, as she discusses the effects of conflicts played out in the Pacific as well as the contribution of Pacific Soldiers to overseas conflicts. Bring along your story or mementoes, Te Kakano
9.30AM – Join us for a free 45-minute guided tour of our War Memorial galleries including WWI, WWII, Planes, Sir Keith Parker, and War in the Pacific, Meet at the red arrow outside the Armoury Information centre
10.30AM – Grand Foyer closes in preparation for the Civic Service
11AM – Civic Service, Cenotaph
12PM – Grand Foyer reopens
12PM – The cast from Chocolate Stigmata perform a selection of songs from Goodbye My Feleni, paying tribute to the Pacific Island soldiers who served with the Maori Battalion in WWII, Atrium
12-4PM – Poppy making, Weird and Wonderful
12.30-3PM – Join us in the Library for an informal afternoon of illustrated talks and expertise
• 12.30PM – Margaret Pointer talks about Niue Island’s involvement in the Great War 1914-1918
• 1.20PM – Megan Hutching discusses her book ‘Against the Rising Sun, New Zealanders remember the Pacific War’
• 2.10PM – Clive Stone speaks ‘soldier art’ produced by New Zealand Servicemen in the Pacific in World War II
12.30PM – Join us for a free 45-minute guided tour of our War Memorial galleries including WWI, WWII, Planes, Sir Keith Park and the Home Front, Meet at the red arrow outside the Armoury Information centre
1PM – ‘Lest We Forget’ Poetry Competition finalists, World War II Hall of Memories
1PM – Tongan Brass Band, Atrium
1.30PM – Join us for a free 45-minute guided tour of our War Memorial galleries including WWI, WWII, The NZ Wars, Planes and Sir Keith Park, Meet at the red arrow outside the Armoury Information centre
2-4PM – Enjoy incredible views of the city and harbour from the Museum’s Dome, tours run on request, Lift 1 & 2, Atrium
2.30PM – Join us for a free 45-minute guided tour of our War Memorial galleries including WWI, WWII, Planes, Sir Keith Park, and Nurses at War, Meet at the red arrow outside the Armoury Information centre
3.30PM – Join us for a free 45-minute guided tour of our War Memorial galleries including WWI, WWII, the NZ Wars and Naval stories, Meet at the red arrow outside the Armoury Information centre