Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga

MP for Maungakiekie

Anzac Day

Anzac Day is a time to remember and honour the sacrifices that young Kiwis and Australians made when they landed at Gallipoli 95 years ago. It is also a time to pay tribute to all our servicemen and women that have taken part in subsequent wars and peacekeeping efforts.

Anzac Day honours these brave servicemen and women – their actions, their sacrifices, and their ingenuity.

At Gallipoli our young nation came of age, fighting for principles and ideals with courage and determination. We cannot imagine the human suffering, the hardships, and the horrors that they saw and endured. An enormous price was paid in human lives, with more than 2700 New Zealanders taking their last breath during the campaign. Many more were wounded in battle.

On April 25, we acknowledge all New Zealanders who have served, and are serving in our defence forces, around the world. They are helping to build a better world today, for our citizens and vulnerable people of other nations.

Today there are more than 600 New Zealand Defence Force personnel deployed on 14 peacekeeping operations, UN missions, and defence exercises across 10 countries. This includes places such as Afghanistan, Timor Leste, the Solomon Islands, the Middle East, South Korea and Sudan. We hold them and their families in our thoughts, and look forward to their safe return home.

Their service – and the sacrifice of the Anzacs – reminds us that we should never take our democratic freedoms for granted.

Lest we forget!

I will be attending Anzac Day commemorations in Mt Wellington/Panmure and will be represented at in Onehunga.

ENDS

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