1 May 2015

Aro Valley goes beyond Anzac Day

Aro Valley has a reputation for the alternative and the My Country Right or Wrong? seminar on the afternoon and evening of Saturday 9 May aims to capture that spirit. It is a contribution by Aro Valley to the World War 1 commemorations and invites Wellingtonians to connect with the history and stories of the many New Zealanders who opposed joining the war, not only the pacifists, but also those who saw the looming war as one of expansion and plunder between competing empires.

The event includes an afternoon of short seminars and discussions by prominent writers, historians, teachers and journalists. Writer, Stevan Eldred-Grigg is the keynote speaker and he asks the questions: Why did the government of New Zealand decide to go to war? Why did they stay in the war after Gallipoli? What did New Zealanders think about it as the years of the war went on?

“I’ll discuss our relationship between Gallipoli and New Zealand’s national identity, that while it did play its part, it is but one of the first steps in alerting us to the fact that the British imperial interest’s were not identical with our own. And why Colonel William Malone is of such interest and may well be able to lay claim to being the first Pākehā New Zealander, as opposed to being a colonial Englishman - and why he was chosen to be the image for the seminar,” spokesperson and social historian Tony Simpson said.

“Other speakers will address the anti-war movement, Maori responses, involvement of the Aro Valley community and the art of war.”

The day includes drinks and nibbles from 5.30 pm and a social dinner at 7 pm on Saturday night. The after-dinner speaker is Danyl McLachlan of ‘Unspeakable Secrets of the Aro Valley’ fame. On Sunday morning there will be a guided walk to sites of local significance of the war. The event concludes at midday.

“We want people who attend to come away feeling they have a greater understanding of the causes of the World War 1 and what life was like for New Zealanders who held different views from those who believe it is a matter of ‘My Country Right or Wrong’. How did war impact their lives and the choices they had to make? These questions will drive discussion and no doubt provoke some interesting responses,” Tony Simpson said.

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