Rotorua’s ANZAC Parade and Civic Memorial Service

Ka maumahara tonu tātau ki a rātau. We will remember them.

ANZAC Day marks New Zealand’s first major engagement of World War One at Gallipoli, Turkey. While it was a terrible defeat, it has gone on to become a legend of sacrifice.

On Thursday 25 April 2019 Rotorua will be hosting an ANZAC Day Parade and Civic Memorial Service open for all to attend.

Locals and visitors can come to reflect and remember all the men and women who have served their country, showing courage and loyalty.

8.45am: Meet at Memorial Drive Parade (lake end of Fenton St)
9am: ANZAC Parade leaves Memorial Drive and heads through Government Gardens
9.20am: Parade arrives at Sportsdrome
9.30am ANZAC Civic Memorial Service begins (the service will take about an hour)

The officiating Minister will be Reverend Tom Poata, with Her Worship the Mayor Steve Chadwick introducing this year’s guest speaker: Major (Rtd) Pita Anaru MNZM, E.D., M.I.D., JP (Rtd)

Ken Douglas will play the Last Post on his bugle before the Ode to the Fallen is read out.

Following the laying of the wreaths music will be performed by City of Rotorua Highland Pipe Band, Evelyn Falconer, Rotorua Brass Band and Western Heights High School Choir.

There will be a free bus travelling from the start of the parade in Memorial Drive to the Civic Service, departing at 9am for those requiring transport.

The national theme of this year’s ANZAC commemorations is ‘Finding Our Way Back’. Following the conclusion of World War One in November 1918, soldiers were not able to return immediately due to a shortage of ships, and the need for personnel for the occupation of Germany.

For many, the return took over ten months, well into 1919. The journey back is also a metaphor for the return to a peacetime society. 2019 is the time to reflect on the future.

ANZAC Day (Thursday 25 April) Road closures:
*Memorial Drive (at the lakefront) and Queens Drive will be closed from 8am to 10am.

*People driving to the Sportsdrome are encouraged to avoid the Princes Gate entrance to Government Gardens and instead enter past Polynesian Spa and take the road behind Rotorua Museum and the Energy Events Centre, or arrive before 9am.