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New Zealand Defence Force
Te Ope Kaatua O Aotearoa
Media Release
Wednesday 30 January, 2008

100 MAN ROYAL GUARD OF HONOUR AND NAVY SHIP TO SUPPORT WAITANGI CELEBRATIONS

The Navy will continue its proud history of playing a major part in the commemorative ceremonies at Waitangi during the 168th Anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi. Amphibious Support Ship, HMNZS CANTERBURY, will anchor off Paihia from 4 – 6 February. The 21 gun salute at midday on Waitangi Day will be fired from the Treaty Grounds.

His Excellency the Governor General of New Zealand, The Honourable Anand Satyanand and Chief of Navy, Rear Admiral David Ledson, will attend the celebrations.

2008 marks the second return of a Naval Guard as part of the formal ceremony. The last time a Naval Guard paraded at all Waitangi Celebrations was in 1998. Last year a 50-man Royal Guard of Honour from Anzac Frigate HMNZS TE KAHA paraded at the rehearsal Beat Retreat and Ceremonial Sunset Ceremony, however torrential rain forced the postponement of the actual event at sunset on the 5th February and Waitangi Day itself.

This year a 100 man Royal Guard of Honour, made up of personnel from naval ships and shore establishments, will be taking part in two Ceremonial Beat Retreat Ceremonies scheduled from 5:15 pm Tuesday 5 February and 5:30 pm Wednesday 6 February with His Excellency the Governor General and the Chief of Navy reviewing the ceremonies respectively.

Performances by the Navy Maori Cultural Group and Navy Band are included as part of the Waitangi Festival, with the Navy Band performing public concerts in Kerikeri and Russell.

Key Naval personnel will be participating in official events over the period 4 - 6 February, with the Navy Band performing a lead in to the formal flag lowering ceremony - "Beat Retreat and Ceremonial Sunset Ceremony" that will take place from 5:15 pm – 5:45 pm on 5th February and 5:30 pm – 6:00 pm on Waitangi Day to close the celebrations.

The theme for Waitangi Day 2008 is “Our Nation’s Turangawaewae”.

Naval Programme

Saturday 2 February
1400 – 1500 Navy Band display at Waitangi Treaty Grounds

Sunday 3 February
1400 – 1530 Navy Band Concert at The Centre, Kerikeri – queries to The Centre Booking Office

Monday 4 February
0600 HMNZS CANTERBURY arrives and anchors off Paihia
0900 Powhiri at Te Tii Marae
1030 - 1130 Navy Band Concert at ‘The Green’ Russell
1400 – 1500 Navy Band and Navy Maori Concert Group Beat Retreat Rehearsal at Treaty Grounds

Tuesday 5 February
0930 - 1045 Beat Retreat and Ceremonial Sunset Rehearsal at Treaty Grounds
1030 - 1300 10 School children from local schools hosted onboard HMNZS CANTERBURY (prizewinners)
1715 - 1745 Beat Retreat and Ceremonial Sunset Ceremony at Flagpole – evening gun fired from Treaty Grounds – reviewed by His Excellency the Governor-General of New Zealand, The Honourable Anand Satyanand.

Wednesday 6 February
0500 Dawn Karakia at Whare Runanga Treaty Grounds
0900 Waka Karakia at Te Tii Beach
1030 - 1130 Church Service – Whare Waka
1130 - 1200 Navy Band performing at the Flagpole
1200 21 Gun Salute is fired from the Treaty Grounds – Official Navy Party takes the salute from the Flagpole
1240 - 1300 Navy Maori Cultural Group performance at Whare Waka
1300 - 1320 Navy Band performance at Whare Waka
1420 - 1440 Navy Maori Cultural Group performance at Whare Waka
1730 - 1800 Beat Retreat Sunset Ceremony at Flagpole – evening gun fired from Treaty Grounds – reviewed by Chief of Navy, Rear Admiral David Ledson
2100 HMNZS CANTERBURY sails from Paihia

ENDS

www.navy.mil.nz www.waitangi.net.nz

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