Thursday, 24 April 2025

New memorial to mark Canterbury settlement’s first Anzac service

    By Daniel Alvey
    1. Canterbury
    2. Christchurch

    Kirwee’s war memorial has been installed just in time for what is believed to be the settlement’s first Anzac Day service.

    Kirwee Community Association chair Stu Begg said it will be a special occasion.

    The association raised $30,000 to build the memorial in the domain through a number of events and grants.

    “In today’s age with money real tight, it’s not easy to try and pluck $30,000 out of the air,” Begg said.

    The only hiccup in the installation occurred when the crane arranged to put the memorial in place was not big enough. 

    Kirwee Community Association chair Stu Begg and member David Kent. Photo: Supplied
    Kirwee Community Association chair Stu Begg and member David Kent. Photo: Supplied
    But the issue was quickly solved with a bigger crane being called in.

    Begg said the association’s research showed Friday’s service will be the first for Kirwee.

    The memorial features the names of 123 Kirwee men who fought in World War 1 and 2.

    The plaques have been inset on the base. Before Anzac Day a concrete base will be put around the memorial.

    Begg said after Anzac Day stones will be added and more planting will be done.

    Prior to the memorial, the only recognition of residents who fought in the wars was on boards in the Kirwee Community Hall, which Begg said were not open to the public all of the time and did not have all the names.

    The Anzac service and wreath laying ceremony will be held at noon on Friday at the memorial in the Kirwee Recreation Reserve.

    Meanwhile, a dawn service will be held at Cathedral Square in Christchurch on Anzac Day.

    It will be the third time since the 2011 earthquake that Cathedral Square has hosted the service at the Citizens' War Memorial. The commemorations that mark Australia and New Zealand’s Gallipoli campaign will begin at 6.15am with war veterans gathering at the Worcester Bridge. and then parade the short distance to Cathedral Square for the traditional dawn service. 

    The New Zealand Army Band will perform at the service, which will end with the playing of the Last Post, a minute’s silence, and then the singing of the New Zealand national anthem.

    Anyone unable to attend the service in person can watch it live here.

    Ceremonies in Selwyn

    • Burnham
    6am at army camp gates - dawn parade service and wreath laying ceremony.
    • Dunsandel
    8.30am at the war memorial on corner Leeston-Dunsandel and Railway Rds - wreath laying ceremony.
    • Glenroy
    7am at Glenroy Monument corner of Downs Rd and State Highway 77. 
    • Sheffield-Waddington
    8am at Sheffield Cenotaph - service followed by wreath laying ceremony.
    • Darfield
    8.45am at Darfield War Memorial - wreath laying ceremony followed by service at Trinity Church.
    • Tai Tapu
    8.45am at Tai Tapu School to raise the flag, march to cenotaph for a 9am service and wreath laying then march back to the school.
    • Mead
    9am at Mead Hall Memorial gates - wreath laying ceremony.
    • Prebbleton
    9am at Prebbleton Hall - wreath laying ceremony.
    • Leeston
    9am, Ellesmere Public Cemetery, 323 Feredays Rd – wreath laying ceremony at 10.30am at the Leeston Rugby Pavilion. Service followed by parade to cenotaph and wreath laying ceremony.
    • Glentunnel
    9.30am meet outside Glentunnel School - service at the Glentunnel Community Centre car park.
    • West Melton
    9.45am at West Melton War Memorial in school grounds - service followed by wreath laying ceremony.
    • Springston
    10.30am at Springston Hall - service at hall followed by wreath laying ceremony at war memorial. Kowai service follows the conclusion of the Springfield ceremony about noon.
    • Rolleston
    11am service at the town square behind Te Ara Ātea - parade attendees meet near the scout den. Service followed by wreath laying ceremony.
    • Springfield
    11am Tawera Memorial Hall - service followed by wreath laying ceremony at war memorial.
    • Hororata
    11am at Hororata Monument - wreath laying ceremony at war memorial.
    • Lincoln
    2pm at Lincoln Event Centre - service followed by wreath laying ceremony.
     

    Ceremonies in Christchurch 

    There will be an Anzac Day service at the Air Force Museum of New Zealand at noon. The service will last around 45 minutes, and tea and coffee will be provided after. The Contact Café will be open on Anzac Day as usual.

    Subscribe to the Facebook event

    Other services

    Anzac Day services will also be held around Christchurch and Banks Peninsula. The usual times and locations are: