Tauranga will host a single, combined civic service for Anzac Day this year, marking the first time Mount Maunganui will not hold its own separate ceremony. The move aims to streamline commemorations, reduce costs, and bring the city’s veteran community together at one main event.
While dawn parades will still be held at multiple locations across the city on April 25, the main civic service will take place at Memorial Park from 9.30am. This follows the Tauranga RSA’s departure from its Cameron Road premises, which were sold in February 2024 and vacated earlier this year, leaving the organisation without a venue for services.
The Anzac Day dawn service, a deeply poignant tradition, will continue at the Mount Maunganui Cenotaph on Marine Parade, opposite Hopukiore (Mt Drury). Other dawn services will also proceed as usual in Tauranga, Pāpāmoa, and at Ōpōpoti (Maungatapu) Marae, preserving the opportunity for early morning reflection across the community.
A move driven by practicality and unity
Tauranga RSA president Morton Anderson explained the practical reasons behind the consolidation. With the Cameron Road site no longer available, Memorial Park provides a central and suitable location. He said if a new site for the Tauranga RSA is secured by next year, the services may move, but for now, Memorial Park is the designated hub.
Mr Anderson noted that a combined service reduces the financial and logistical burden on both the RSAs and the Tauranga City Council. "It also means only one set of planning needed to be done, so it frees up a lot of people’s time," he said. The council contributes event support for dawn services, which are paid for by the host RSA, while it fully funds the civic services run by the RSAs. Mr Anderson noted that a combined service reduces the financial and logistical burden on both the RSAs and the Tauranga City Council. "It also means only one set of planning needed to be done, so it frees up a lot of people’s time," he said. The council contributes event support for dawn services, which are paid for by the host RSA, while it fully funds the civic services run by the RSAs. He highlighted the increasing financial pressures faced by community organisations. "There’s a lot of work and funding that goes into these events, and with rising fuel costs at the moment, we want to have the planes up there flying in respect but we’ve got to watch the dollars we’re able to spend," he said, particularly when community groups are facing similar economic pressures, as seen in reports where Australia boosts fuel reserves.
An invitation to the whole community
Organisers are encouraging all residents, including those from Mount Maunganui, to attend the combined civic service. The start time has been pushed back 30 minutes to 9.30am to give people ample time to travel across the bridge. To further ease transport, Tauranga City Council has confirmed that free park-and-ride services will be available for both the Mount Maunganui dawn service and the two services at Memorial Park.
Mr Anderson acknowledged some uncertainty about attendance, given the change. "We’re not sure if people will come over the bridge to the civic service in the city; we’re just going to see how it goes," he said. The combined parade is expected to be larger, featuring veterans, current defence personnel, and community groups, with more guest speakers and ceremony extending the service to about 45 minutes.
It’s always incredibly moving to see current service personnel, veterans and their families standing alongside the wider community in remembrance.
Tauranga Mayor Mahé Drysdale said Anzac Day is a crucial time for reflection on the sacrifices made for the freedoms enjoyed today. He described this year’s combined civic service as "particularly special" for uniting the local veteran community at a single city event.
Commemorations across the region
Anzac Day, which marks the anniversary of the 1915 Gallipoli landings, is one of New Zealand's most important national occasions of remembrance. It commemorates all New Zealanders killed in war and honours returned and serving service personnel. Further details about the history and traditions of the day can be found at the Ministry for Culture and Heritage's NZHistory website.
Beyond the main city services, commemorations will take place across the wider Bay of Plenty. Pāpāmoa will hold its dawn service at 6am at the Pāpāmoa Memorial in the Stella Place beach carpark, and a remembrance service is scheduled for 11am at Pyes Pā Cemetery.
In the Western Bay of Plenty district, dawn services will begin at 6am at Waihī Beach RSA, Tuapiro Marae, Katikati War Memorial Hall, and Ōmokoroa’s Remembrance Cairn. Later services will be held in Ōropi and Te Puke. For those planning to attend an event, exploring the many things to do in Tauranga can help round out the public holiday.
Mr Anderson says if the Tauranga RSA has not found a new permanent base by Anzac Day next year, the combined civic service will likely continue at Memorial Park.
