Media release
15 October 2012

Council Plans World War One Commemorations

Auckland Council will lead and coordinate an integrated World War One centennial programme from 2014 to 2018, including special Auckland-based initiatives.

Cr Sandra Coney, Chair of the Parks, Recreation and Heritage Forum, says the forum has recommended first establishing a political steering group to guide the project.

“World War One shaped who we are today, as Aucklanders and as New Zealanders.

“We owe a huge debt to the young men and women of Auckland who sacrificed their lives, their health and their prospects for the love of their country.

“The centenary gives us a chance to honour them and to better understand who they were, and the impact of the war on their families and communities,” she says.

The forum has suggested the steering group is led by the Mayor and includes local board members, councillors and an Independent Māori Statutory Board representative. Other members could be co-opted as required.

The initiative has the full support of the Mayor. “As we repeat every ANZAC Day, we will remember them. I can’t think of a more fitting way of putting those words into practice than the centennial programme that is being proposed,” says Len Brown.

The steering group will consider initiatives like a World War One heritage trail on public parks and land. This will mark 40 to 50 sites of significance to the region’s role in the war.

Cenotaphs, memorials and war graves will be cleaned, restored and where necessary upgraded. There are also plans for a community-based project to gather information and stories about the men and women who served to add to the Cenotaph database. Other initiatives to be considered include a major commemorative artwork or a public memorial.

The Government has established a National Advisory Group to oversee the national response. The council has already signalled its approach to the national group.

ENDS

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