Western Bay of Plenty and Tauranga communities have a range of services and events on April 25 to attend to commemorate ANZAC Day.
Pāpāmoa, Mount Maunganui and Tauranga will hold dawn services in the city while ANZAC Day in the Western Bay will feature dawn parades and services at Katikati, Waihī Beach, Ōmokoroa and Maketu.
Pāpāmoa
The Pāpāmoa War Memorial Community Trust invites all residents to this year's Dawn Service at the Cenotaph by Stella Place Carpark, Papamoa Beach Rd. Veterans, returned servicemen and women are requested to assemble along with Police, NZ Fire Service and Scouts at the Pony Club fields from 5.30am. At 6am is the parade call to order, with a march to the Cenotaph, then start of the service. Disability parking will be available, and this year the road to the carpark will be floodlit for ease of access.
Mount Maunganui
The Mount Maunganui Dawn Service is at Mount Maunganui Cenotaph, Marine Parade, opposite Mount Drury. People can assemble at 5.45am, with a 5.55am march off followed by a service from 6am. A free park and ride service will operate from Kawaka St, behind Blake Park, to Maunganui Rd behind Mount Drury Reserve. Buses will depart Kawaka St between 5am and 5.50am, returning at the end of the Dawn Service between 6.15am and 7.30am. A Mount Maunganui Civic Memorial Service begins 9.30am at Mount Maunganui Cenotaph, Marine Parade (opposite Mount Drury Reserve, Hopukiore). People can assemble at Mount Drury Reserve at 9.15am for a 9.25am march off.
Tauranga City
Tauranga City's dawn service is at the Tauranga RSA Cenotaph, 1237 Cameron Rd, Greerton. Assemble 5.45am at Hayes Ave for a 5.55am march off and service at 6am.
A Tauranga Moana Tumatauenga ANZAC commemoration begins 5.45am at Te Whetu o Te Rangi Marae, Welcome Bay Rd, Tauranga.
The Tauranga Civic Memorial Service is at Tauranga Memorial Park, Eleventh Ave. Parade assembly is on the grass beside Queen Elizabeth Youth Centre at 8.45am. March off is 8.55am – and the 9am service will take place indoors at Queen Elizabeth Youth Centre if bad weather prevents an outside gathering at Memorial Park. A park and ride and wreath laying are available at this service. Pyes Pa will hold a Remembrance Service 11am at Pyes Pa Cemetery.
Western BOP
In the Western BOP, Katikati's dawn service begins 6am at Katikati War Memorial Hall. Those keen to march from the Talisman Hotel can assemble there by 5.45am. Katikati will also have a short service at Katikati Cemetery at 9am.
Ōmokoroa is hosting a dawn service from 6am at Remembrance Cairn, Gerald Crapp Reserve, Ōmokoroa Point. Maketu's dawn service begins 6am at Park Road Reserve.
Te Puke will have a parade begin 9.50am opposite Te Puke War Memorial Hall followed by a Civic Memorial Service from 10am at the Te Puke War Memorial Hall. Attendees are asked to be seated before arrival of the parade. After the service, people can move to the Cenotaph for wreath laying. To find out more about ANZAC commemorations in Tauranga, see: https://www.tauranga.govt.nz For ANZAC Day events in Western BOP, see: https://www.westernbay.govt.nz