New Zealand’s first Merchant Navy Day

Media Release

The Ministry for Culture and Heritage

31st August 2010

New Zealand’s first Merchant Navy Day

September the 3rd 2010 is to be New Zealand’s first Merchant Navy Day, and celebrates the crucial work of the Merchant Navy’s war-time efforts.

Sailing the ships that delivered troops, military equipment, fuel and vital food to our allies, the New Zealand Merchant Navy traversed the world's oceans in times of danger and in rough seas. The work of our merchant seamen was so essential that the Merchant Navy was effectively regarded as the fourth service alongside the army, navy and air force.

In both World Wars the Allies could not have continued without the contribution of the Merchant Navy. Merchant ships were a lifeline, supplying much of the United Kingdom's butter and cheese, and also carrying tons of meat, bales of wool, and munitions. Merchant seamen were civilians, but on the front line of the war. They faced the constant possibility of attack, and death in the freezing waters of the Atlantic or in the shark-infested waters of the Pacific. And this was indeed the fate of some of our seafarers.

The Minister for Culture and Heritage, the Hon Chris Finlayson will commemorate the seamen that lost their lives and the brave work of those that served New Zealand’s war efforts in a ceremony held at the National War Memorial this Friday the 3rd of September at 11am. Speakers will include the Governor General, the Rt Hon Sir Anand Satyanand; Rear Admiral Tony Parr, Chief of Navy; and retired Rear Admiral David Ledson.

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