Locked down but not forgotten

Covid-19’s official lockdown on Anzac ceremonies and parades – the first cancellation ever since the day originated in 1916 and included Hakaru RSA’s traditional service – did nothing to deter locals from showing their respect for the country’s servicemen and women.

Inspired by the nationwide call for Kiwis to ‘Stand at Dawn’ on March 25, east Kaipara residents decorated fences, letterboxes, billboards, gardens and even power poles with red poppies, flags and crosses to honour those who dedicated their years, energy and lives, for peace and freedom for all.

The high number of people rising early to acknowledge the day, as well as the amount of online donations Hakaru RSA received to help support returned service members and their families, impressed president Bill Warren.

“This proves that the spirit of remembrance and gratitude for those that served and gave the ultimate gift, so that we can live the way we do today, is still very much alive and well. Thank you all very much!” he says.

“We are all looking forward to the end of our current conflict, Covid-19. It is a war and a battle that will be won, the problem is that it is with an invisible enemy that needs to be repelled using new tactics. Let us all stand fast and employ those tactics we are asked to, and beat it down.”

- WORDS/PHOTOS/Julia Wade

1a: Mangawhai Heads residents – former Royal New Zealand Navy petty officer Ann Dowson and husband Neville, a Kaiwaka volunteer firefighter for 27 years – created an eye-catching Anzac display outside their home to mark the venerated day.

Due to Covid-19, the white crosses were not able to be placed on the gravesites of those in past service at Hakaru’s St Michaels Church, an act the couple perform every year. Instead the emblems attracted a number of passing admirers, and also became a place for neighbours and friends to rally with social distancing, taking in the poignant melody of The Last Post together as Anzac Day dawned.

2: Mangawhai Volunteer Fire Brigade’s chief officer Rob Leslie was one of many who joined locals at the Dowson’s to pay respects. PHOTO/Supplied

3: As the morning broke in brilliant colour, the poignant pipes of Barry Wallace ring out through the Hakaru countryside with the veteran police officer’s rendition of ‘Flowers of the Forest’, ‘My Home’ and ‘Scotland the Brave’.

Langs Beach residents Lynda & John Fuller prepare the beach for ANZAC

Others: From Mangawhai Heads to Langs Beach and SH1 through Kaiwaka, people showed they have not forgotten those who served New Zealand.