Join us in commemorating those who served and lost their lives in the Merchant Navy.
Each year the Maritime Museum commemorates the men and women of the Merchant Navy, and remember the crews of civilian ships who serve in wartime. This is a one-hour public service which includes the laying of the wreath at the museum’s Merchant Navy Memorial Plaque.
We are pleased to welcome Mr John Gresson as our keynote speaker for Merchant Navy Day. His career spans maritime law, shipping line ownership and management, and naval reserve service (including involvement in countering Somali piracy). Mr Gresson has been recognised for his contributions to the maritime sector in New Zealand, within the South Pacific, and for his work when operationally deployed to the Middle East. We look forward to his insights as we commemorate Merchant Navy Day.
Schedule:
- Doors open at 10.45am.
- Services begin at 11am and runs until 12pm.
About Merchant Navy Day:
In 2010 the New Zealand Government announced that they would join Britain and other Commonwealth countries to commemorate those who served in the Merchant Navy during war time.
The date chosen was 3rd September as this observes the sinking of the first British merchant ship in 1939, just hours after WWII was declared. 2026 marks the 16th year of recognising the day.
About Merchant Navy:
Several thousand New Zealanders have served in the Merchant Navy since WWI. These civilian volunteers sailed the ships that delivered troops, military equipment and vital cargoes of food, fuel and raw materials across the world's oceans. This work was so essential to the Allies' effort in WWII that the Merchant Navy was effectively regarded as the fourth service alongside the army, navy and air force.
Work on the ships was tough but also full of adventure. Merchant seafarers often found themselves in the front lines of the war at sea. Many ships were torpedoed or bombed; survivors sometimes spent days or weeks in lifeboats before being rescued. More than 140 New Zealand merchant seafarers lost their lives during WWII, and a similar number were taken prisoner. No other group of New Zealand civilians faced such risks during wartime.