Events around the district:
- Ōpōtiki Dawn service – 6:30am Kutarere Marae
- Civic ceremony, parade and wreath laying – 10:20am for parade from RSA to Cenotaph. 11am service at Cenotaph
- Te Kaha dawn service – 6am Te Kaha Marae followed by breakfast at Te Whānau a Apanui RSA
- Civic (day) service at Wairuru Marae Raukokore – 10am
This year’s ANZAC commemorations include the traditional dawn service, parade and civic commemorations at the Cenotaph.
The rotation of marae for the dawn service will see Kutarere Marae host this year’s commemorations with the pōhiri at 6.30am followed by breakfast.
Ōpōtiki Returned Services Association will also host a parade and civic ceremony in the township, fall in at 10:20am at the RSA for the parade to the Cenotaph. Service and laying of wreaths from 11am.
Ōpōtiki Deputy Mayor, Shona Browne, invited the community to join the Ōpōtiki Returned Services Association to mark the important occasion.
“ANZAC Day is the one day that we gather as a nation to honour and remember all those brave men and women that gave their lives in order for us to live in freedom.
“As a small District, Ōpōtiki paid the ultimate price for this freedom. So many never returned. We must never forget their sacrifice and those of their families and loved ones they left behind.
“The names of those that lost their lives are listed on our Cenotaph and on the many white crosses that adorn the Cenotaph area. Those family names are familiar to many that still live in Ōpōtiki and District.
“Let’s also remember those that did return home wounded including loss of limbs in these campaigns. They carried that burden and horrors of War for the rest of their natural lives.
“So please spend some time on ANZAC DAY to remember the fallen and the price they paid for us their families to live in peace and free from War.
“‘We will remember them’,” Deputy Mayor Shona Browne said.
Please note, roads will be closed to vehicles for the parade and there will be traffic disruption for the morning of 25 April. Disability parking will be available in the Skatepark carpark on Potts Ave. Please be parked before the parade starts.
Ends
Temporary Disruption to ordinary traffic
There will be some disruption to through traffic due to road closures in the following streets to allow the passing/holding of the ANZAC Day Parade:
Temporary disruption:
- St John Street – Kelly St to King Street
- King Street – St John Street to Church Street
- Elliott Street – Church St to St John Street
Temporary Closed:
- Church – Richard Street to Kelly Street
- Elliott St – Moody Place Carpark Entrance to Potts Ave
- Potts Ave – Kelly Street to old Post Office Exchange Alleyway
[Disability/Elderly parking will be available in the Skatepark carpark on Potts Ave]
Date and Period of Disruption: Tuesday 25 April 2023, 10:20 am to 12 noon.
