Anzac Day Resources

Media Release
21 April 2008

Anzac Day Resources

Two Ministry for Culture and Heritage websites, www.NZHistory.net.nz and www.Anzac.govt.nz are a comprehensive guide to both the history of Anzac Day and its remembrance in 2008.

www.NZHistory.net.nz

www.NZHistory.net.nz covers New Zealand's role in the First World War with a focus on the histories of the Western Front. 18,500 New Zealanders died in or because of the war - 2700 at Gallipoli and 12,500 on the Western Front. Â Â

The First World War at http://www.nzhistory.net.nz/category/tid/215 describes the  stories of Passchendaele, Battle of the Somme, Le Quesnoy and the Gallipoli campaign.

The Passchendaele history at http://www.nzhistory.net.nz/war/passchendaele-the-battle-for-belgium was launched in October last year to commemorate 90 years since this horrific battle claimed 5000 New Zealand lives and injured 18,000 New Zealand soldiers.

Sections on conscientious objection, Māori and the First World War and the Arras Tunnels give real context to contemporary Anzac commemorations. The Arras Tunnels story is particularly fascinating for its portrayal of the "hardbitten gold miners and quarrymen" of the New Zealand Tunnelling Company who helped create a vast network of military tunnels under the French town of Arras.

A memorial to the 41 New Zealand tunnellers who lost their lives was unveiled at Arras on 8 April 2007. An underground museum, Carrière Wellington, which incorporates parts of the tunnel system, was opened on 15 February 2008.

An interactive memorials register at http://www.nzhistory.net.nz/culture/the-memorials-register also links to photos and information about the more than 450 public First World War memorial sites all over New Zealand.

http://www.nzhistory.net.nz/war/anzac-day/introduction provides an in-depth Anzac Day history and background on the many ways New Zealanders and Australians remember the Gallipoli campaign including the moving history of the red poppy.

The Classroom at http://www.nzhistory.net.nz/war/anzac-day/classroom-activities-anzac-day has a range of classroom activities for social studies and NCEA history students. Thought-provoking exercises ask students to consider the background and relevance of the Gallipoli campaign. There are also Passchendaele classroom activities here: http://www.nzhistory.net.nz/classroom/ncea2/passchendaele.

www.Anzac.govt.nz

www.Anzac.govt.nz is an Anzac Day guide for New Zealanders. Complementing the historical information found at www.NZHistory.net.nz it encompasses four sections:

The Significance of Anzac Day outlines the Gallipoli story, myths and misconceptions and elaborates on traditions and rituals, including an Anzac Biscuit recipe.

Anzac Day Today has details of events around New Zealand, orders of ceremony and resources for community events including a number of useful links and downloads to speeches, bugle calls, information sheets and speech transcripts.

A Gallipoli Guide - features a Panorama Gallery of 37 stunning 360 degree images of Anzac Cove, Cape Helles, Walker's Ridge, Chunuk Bair and other Gallipoli sites. A glossary of Gallipoli place names, visitors' guide Gallipoli and the moving Memorials to the Missing are an invaluable resource.

More Anzac Day Resources links to websites, books and films.

For further information on Anzac Day go to the following Ministry for Culture and Heritage websites:

www.TeAra.govt.nz
The Encyclopedia of New Zealand with many entries relating to Anzac Day and the ANZAC corps.

www.NZLive.com
An online guide to New Zealand culture - art, performance, music, books, film, festivals, heritage, sport, recreation and more. Features listings of Anzac Day events around New Zealand.

www.nationalwarmemorial.govt.nz
Provides information on the Carillon, Hall of Memories, Tomb of the Unknown Warrior, events and links.

Please quote the relevant websites as sources for this information.

ENDS

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