Editorial
Editorial
Newest first
Oldest first
See latest updates
See one new update
See new updates
24. April 2023 19:21
RNZ Live
What you need to know:
  • Anzac Day commemorations are being held across the motu.
  • The larger dawn services took place in Auckland, on the forecourt at Tāmaki Paenga Hira - Auckland War Memorial Museum, In Wellington, at Pukeahu National War Memorial Park, and in Christchurch, at Christchurch Cathedral Square.
  • The National Commemorative Service was held at Wellington's Pukeahu National War Memorial Park at 11am.
  • A ceremony will be held on the Waitangi Treaty Grounds this evening to commemorate the members of the Māori Battalion.
|
No posts for now
25. April 2023 03:02
RNZ Live
Thanks for following along with us this morning as we covered the Anzac Day commemorations.

We will be closing our live blog for the day.
|
25. April 2023 02:51
RNZ Live

'Tears always fall': Anzac in Cook Islands

In the early 1940's a young Sergeant Alexander Brown from Mangaia Cook Islands was killed in action.

"His siblings, all my uncles and aunts all passed away without knowing where he was. He was 24," former member of the Cook Islands parliament Tamaiva Tuavera, affectionately known as captain Tama said.

The 'boy from Mangaia' left his home land as a teenager and went to study in New Zealand.

World War Two broke out, so he left school and signed up for the Royal Air Force.

He made his way to Canada for training and became a navigator on the bombers.

Alex became Sergeant Alexander Brown, the first Cook Islander to be enlisted in the Royal Air Force.

Read more of this story from RNZ Pacific journalist Lydia Lewis here.

Cook Islander Sergeant Alexander Brown was killed in action over Somme. He is buried at the Commonwealth Military Cemetery in Kiel, Germany.
Cook Islander Sergeant Alexander Brown was killed in action over Somme. He is buried at the Commonwealth Military Cemetery in Kiel, Germany.   credit: Photo: Supplied by family members
|
25. April 2023 02:23
RNZ Live
In Auckland, the cold temperatures didn't stop thousands from gathering at the War Memorial Museum for the dawn service.

Nickie came along for the first time this year and says she will be coming back.

"I think more than ever now, as a country, we need to pull together and this is definitely a day for that - to celebrate those who died for our freedom.

"It's really touching. I really hope to come next year again."
|
25. April 2023 02:17
RNZ Live
Photos from the National Commemorative Service at Pukeahu National War Memorial Park in Wellington.
Photos: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone
|
25. April 2023 02:06
RNZ Live
It's been a busy few years for Auckland lawyer David Stone. 
A curious question about his great uncle has led him on a years-long mission to reunite members of the Maori Battalion with their unclaimed medals. His work is paying off though. 

Over the past year, seven ceremonies have been held to reunite hundreds of whānau with more than a thousand unclaimed medals.
|
25. April 2023 02:05
RNZ Live
Prime Minister Chris Hipkins shares his thoughts on Anzac Day. 
Listen below.
|
25. April 2023 01:51
RNZ Live
The sun rose over Auckland during the dawn service earlier this morning.
Photos: RNZ / Rayssa Almeida
|
25. April 2023 01:49
RNZ Live
Prime Minister Chris Hipkins speaks at the service.
Prime Minister Chris Hipkins speaks at the service.   credit: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone
|
25. April 2023 01:40
RNZ Live
Prime Minister Chris Hipkins says Anzac Day has come to mean far more than a commemoration of the 1915 Gallipoli campaign.

He has been attending the national commemorative service at Pukeahu National War Memorial Park in Wellington.

Before the service, Hipkins told RNZ he thinks about his grandfathers, who were Second World War veterans, along with the sacrifices of other servicemen and women, including peacekeepers.

"Anzac Day, I guess, starts with Gallipoli and with World War One but its actually come to mean a lot more that that.

"Its comes to mean a day of acknowledgement of the sacrifice made by the Anzacs, the New Zealand and Australia troops, in conflicts all around the world."
The National Commemorative Service took place in Wellington.
The National Commemorative Service took place in Wellington.   credit: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone
|
25. April 2023 01:25
RNZ Live
Prime Minister Chris Hipkins (centre) at the National Commemorative Service for Anzac Day in Wellington.
Prime Minister Chris Hipkins (centre) at the National Commemorative Service for Anzac Day in Wellington.   credit: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone
|