Local Anzac Day commemorations this year are being kept to a minimum to protect the health and wellbeing of veterans.
At its March meeting, Devonport-Takapuna Local Board resolved that there will be no public civic services in Takapuna this year and the service at Devonport Returned Services Association will be held indoors with a small number of invited guests.
At the time there were still restrictions around numbers that could gather for outdoor events and the decision reflected an agreed approach with the Devonport RSA.
The changes have been put in place to ensure our veterans, who are among our most vulnerable, are kept as safe as possible. COVID is still circulating in the community so this year it makes sense to reduce the risk of spreading.
The service at the Devonport RSA is by invitation only but will be livestreamed via YouTube. People can join at 9.30 to view pre-recorded footage from the remembrance ritual held earlier in the day followed by the service at 10am.
The community will still be able to pay their respects by placing a poppy or a wreath at the memorials in Takapuna or Devonport, throughout the day.
Keep up to date with all Anzac Day commemorations across Auckland, including the link for the Devonport service at ourauckland.nz/anzacday
Supporting Poppy Day
Meanwhile the local board has made a one-off donation of $10,000 to the Devonport RSA Poppy Day Fund.
It’s been a tough couple of years with the impacts of the pandemic severely impacting the RSA’s ability to fundraise while the need for their welfare and outreach services continue to grow.
2022 marks 100 years since the first Poppy Day in New Zealand.