As ANZAC Day approaches, Aotearoa prepares to honour the brave souls who have served our nation. This year, the spotlight shines on a group often overlooked in the archives of military history: our nurses.
Art of Remembrance 2025: A Tribute to New Zealand’s Nurses
On Thursday, 24 April, from 6:00pm to 8:00pm, Kāhui St David’s in Grafton, Auckland, will host the 10th annual Art of Remembrance event. This evening of music and reflection will pay special tribute to the Royal New Zealand Nursing Corps, acknowledging their service in war, conflict and peacekeeping missions.
The event will feature performances by soprano Felicity Tomkins, Michelle Thorne, David Harvey on bagpipes, the Off Broadway Big Band and organist Helen Lukman-Fox. A bronze plaque honouring the Royal New Zealand Nursing Corps will be unveiled and permanently installed in the Great Hall of Kāhui St David’s, near other memorials dedicated to various branches of the New Zealand Defence Force.
Kāhui St David’s, originally dedicated as The Soldiers’ Memorial Church in 1927, now serves as a place of remembrance and community gathering. Located near Auckland Hospital and the medical and nursing schools, it stands as a living memorial for all branches of service.
ANZAC Day Dawn Services Across New Zealand
For those wishing to participate in dawn services on ANZAC Day, here are a few on around the country:
Auckland War Memorial Museum: The Dawn Service will commence at 6:00am in the Court of Honour. Following the service, the museum will open its doors for free, offering access to commemorative galleries and exhibitions.
Wellington: The National Commemoration will take place at Pukeahu National War Memorial Park. The service will be broadcast live by TVNZ 1.
Christchurch: A dawn service will be held at Cathedral Square from 6:30am to 8:00am, marking a return to this location since the 2011 earthquakes.
Tasman District: Various services and parades will occur throughout the district, including a dawn service at the Tākaka Memorial Reserve at 6:30am.
For a comprehensive list of ANZAC Day events in your area, please refer to local council websites or community boards.
Let us come together to honour the sacrifices of all who have served, with a special acknowledgment of the dedicated nurses who have cared for our soldiers throughout history.
Lest we forget.
