TVNZ to Broadcast Hyde Park Ceremony

10 November, 2006

TVNZ to Broadcast Hyde Park Ceremony

TVNZ will take New Zealanders to the heart of the action when a memorial to Kiwis who fought alongside the British is dedicated in London this weekend.

TV ONE will broadcast the dedication ceremony live from London's Hyde Park at 3.20am this Sunday, 12 November, and will replay an edited version at 10am later that morning. The ceremony will be streamed live on tvnz.co.nz with the edited version also available online.

Called 'Southern Stand', the memorial commemorates the enduring bonds between New Zealand and the United Kingdom, and our shared sacrifice during times of war. It is a symbol both of our common heritage and of New Zealand's distinct identity. It is expected to become a particular focus for Anzac Day commemorations in London each year.

Prime Minister Helen Clark will attend the ceremony, along with members of the British Government and Royal family. Dave Dobbyn and London-based Maori group Te Ranana will perform. The New Zealand Government is flying 32 veterans to London to attend the ceremony.

TVNZ General Manager of Commissioning and Production, Tony Holden, says TVNZ, with the support of NZ On Air, is broadcasting the event because of its significance to New Zealanders and the fact that apart from Australia, no other countries have such a memorial in Britain.

TVNZ is providing the footage of the ceremony to Maori Television. Broadcasters in the UK and other countries will also be using TVNZ's coverage.

For more information about TVNZ's coverage, and for streaming of the ceremony, please see tvnz.co.nz, keywords: NZ Memorial.

ENDS

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