MEDIA RELEASE

Tuesday, 16 April 2013

Tinui ANZAC Day Service And Airshow Will Pay Respects to Fallen Heroes

Two special events will be held in the Wairarapa these school holidays to mark ANZAC Day and encourage New Zealanders to remember their fallen ANZAC heroes.

On Thursday, April 25th the rural Wairarapa community of Tinui, a 40 minute drive east of Masterton and the first place in the world to hold an ANZAC Day commemoration, will hold a special service. The service will begin at 10.30am outside the Tinui War Memorial Hall (finishing approx 11.30am), followed by morning tea in the Hall. People will then have the opportunity to walk a new loop walk to the permanent aluminium Anzac Cross which sits on top of Mt Maunsell and is recognised by the Historic Places Trust with a category 1 listing – the highest possible.

Destination Wairarapa general manager David Hancock says Tinui has the proud recognition of being the first place ever to commemorate ANZAC Day and he hoped that in time that all New Zealanders would have a chance to visit the village.

“Apart from a trip to Gallipoli, Tinui must be the most spiritually significant place for New Zealanders to visit,” he says.

In addition to the service at Tinui, a special commemorative ANZAC WWI airshow will be held at Masterton’s Hood Aerodrome on Saturday, April 27th. The airshow will feature aircraft from the Vintage Aviator Collection - one of the largest collections of
WWI original, reproduction and replica aircraft in the world – including star rotary engine craft the Bentley powered Sopwith Snipe, famous for a lone VC winning fight.
In addition the Snipe, which has just completed testing, will be joined by a pair of Fokker D VIII monoplanes for what is believed to be the first pairing of these planes in New Zealand skies.

Sara Randle of the Vintage Aviator says aviation enthusiasts are excited to see pilots put on an exciting show.

“We hope all New Zealanders will have an opportunity to come and appreciate these aviation treasures and witness a spirited display of flying by some of our leading vintage display pilots,” she says. “We know overseas enthusiasts are in no doubt that this is something you can only see at Masterton’s Hood aerodrome. Experts have estimated that the seven aircraft with period rotary engines we have on display here

comprise a full quarter of the whole world’s airworthy examples of this technology which was vital in war, but which subsequently died out almost immediately after it.”

Ms Randle says as the centennial of 1914 draws near, “world-only” sights, like two FE2 pusher planes flying together will make for spectacular viewing. This is thanks to The Vintage Aviator’s Wellington workshop, which has a meticulous drive for authenticity, and to the generosity of the 1914-18 Aviation Heritage Trust.

Gates open to the ANZAC WWI Commemorative airshow at 12pm with period vehicle rides running between 1pm – 2.30pm (these are free for children). The airshow display runs from 2.30pm - 5pm.

Visitors coming to the Wairarapa will also be to see the family friendly Toki Truck Stop Show & Shine at Tui Brewery in Mangatainoka on Saturday 27 April. The event is expected to attract 100 trucks from all around the North Island with any profits made being donated to the Prostate Cancer Foundation. The event, beginning at 9am, is free to the public.
For extra school holiday entertainment, Pukaha Mount Bruce National Wildlife Centre, a 20 minute drive north of Masterton and home to New Zealand’s three white Kiwi, is holding a School Holiday programme – Be a Ranger for the Day & Night Time Adventure. Aratoi: Wairarapa Museum of Art & History is also holding two children’s art programmes -one entitled Weird, Wonderful and Creepy Critters and the other Frivolous Fun: Jewellery out of Junk. Bookings are essential for both programmes.
For more information on these events and accommodation specials visit www.wairarapanz.com or see below.

• ANZAC Day Service at Tinui, Thursday April 25th:
- Allow a 40 min drive from Masterton
- Parking will be in Tinui village and sign-posted. Also available in the school playground.
- ANZAC service starts at 10.30am outside the Tinui War Memorial Hall, finishes approx 11.30am. Morning tea available in the Hall immediately after service.
- There will be an opportunity for those wishing to walk up to the Cross after the service. All people to be on track no later than 12.30pm.
- The new loop track will take approximately 1 ½ to 2 hours to walk. A reasonable level of fitness is required. There is likely to be mud so appropriate footwear and clothing is essential.
- Directions to base of track will be given at the service to avoid public jumping the gun before volunteers are in position. Parking on roadside at
- base of track.

• The ANZAC WW1 Commemorative Airshow
- The airshow will be held at Masterton’s Hood Aerodrome on Saturday April 27th.
- Gates open at 12pm with vehicle rides between 1pm – 2.30pm (free for children)
- The airshow display runs from 2.30 - 5pm. For more information visit: www.vintageaviator.co.nz.
- Entry fee:

• Toki Truck Stop
- Saturday, April 27th 2013, Tui HQ, Tui Brewery, Mangatainoka
- Time: 9am – 3pm
- Prizes: Prizes for trucks in a variety of categories
- Free entry to the public
- Cost: $10 entry per truck (includes donation to the Prostate Cancer Foundation).

The Pukaha Mount Bruce Holiday Programme (suitable for 7 year olds and up)
- Be a Ranger for the Day (April 22, 24, 26, 29 and May 1, 3).
- From 11am – 3pm
- $20 per child includes lunch
- Night Adventure (Wednesday April 24 and May 1)
- 7pm – 9pm
- $30 per child. Please ring 06 375 8004 for bookings.

Aratoi Holiday Arts Programme
- WEIRD AND WONDERFUL CREEPY CRITTERS
- Week One: April 23rd ,24th & 26th
- From 2 - 4pm | $15.00 per session
- FRIVOLOUS FUN - JEWELLERY OUT OF JUNK
- Week Two: April 30th; May 1st & 2nd. From 2 - 4pm $15.00 per session
- Ring 370 0001 for bookings.

ENDS

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