Anzac Day address from the Mayor

Kia ora all, 

At the end of 1918, our Chatham Island men fighting in Europe returned to a New Zealand fighting the Spanish Flu. And now 122 years later we find ourselves on a comparable footing with our Covid-19 event.

But we must not let our current situation distract us from acknowledging the great sacrifice our Chatham Island people played in World War Ⅰ and Ⅱ. From sending our Men to war to the combined effort our grandparents and great grandparents made to feed all our New Zealand troops from the seas the surround us, we Chatham Islanders made our contribution so our men could come home.

Anzac Day is a time of remembrance, of commemoration, and of gratitude for the sacrifice our ancestors made. Let's all stand together, remember the day even if we can't gather to do so, and make sure we stand at 6AM on Saturday morning to remember our loved ones. Lest we forget.

Mayor Monique Croon

Anzac Day 2020 marks the 105th anniversary since the landing of troops in Gallipoli

It is the first time in history that New Zealanders cannot all gather across the country to remember the day. Even though the public Anzac services will not be going as planned, it does not mean that the tradition of remembering and commemorating those who served us should be cancelled too.

There are still plenty of ways to mark the day from our bubbles at home:

• The New Zealand Defence Force and RSA campaign #StandAtDawn will begin at 6AM Saturday. Stand at your front porch, your letterbox, your driveway, and take a moment to remember.
• Radio NZ National will have a live dawn service broadcast commencing at 6AM.
• TVNZ 1 will be hosting an Anzac Day special at 11AM.
• Let’s not forget campaign where you can purchase a ‘virtual poppy’. Proceeds will go towards the RSA. Go to www.givealittle.co.nz/fundraiser/letsnotforget(external link)
• Get the kids doing some Anzac-themed crafts and activities – take a look at what’s available on www.standatdawn.com(external link).