Wellington’s Cenotaph Must Be ANZAC Dawn Focus

Wellington’s Cenotaph and Citizens' War Memorial could be downgraded for future ANZAC Day dawn ceremonies despite a $2.5 million upgrade.

“We are really concerned that Wellington’s Dawn Service is being seen as competition for the Pukeahu National War Memorial Park,” says Ron Mark, New Zealand First spokesperson for Defence and its Veterans Affairs spokesperson.

“As a party New Zealand First would be genuinely concerned if Wellington’s dawn ceremony was permanently moved to the National War Memorial Park. The two services are completely different.

“The Cenotaph commemorates Wellingtonians who served and died in war, whereas, the service at Pukeahu is a national service for all New Zealanders in all wars. They serve two different functions and we should not confuse them.

“Yes numbers spiked for the centennial of ANZAC Day but was because there was only one key event in Wellington.

“We are losing too many traditions like how the Band of Lt Col William Malone’s battalion was all but airbrushed from the ANZAC Centennial. If Wellington’s 83-year old Cenotaph and Citizens' War Memorial follows it would be sad and frankly wrong.

“New Zealand First does not begrudge the $2.5 million spent upgrading Wellington’s Cenotaph, but we do begrudge the lack of importance being placed on tradition. We see that writ large in the current flag debate.

“The government needs to focus on the National War Memorial Park and let Wellingtonians commemorate their people who fought and died in war at their own Cenotaph,” Mr Mark said.

ENDS

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