Porirua residents gathered from the early hours this morning to honour service personnel past and present, with Anzac Day commemorations held across the city.
A dawn service at the Porirua RSA on McKillop Street began at 6am, following early morning preparations and a parade assembly at Mungavin car park. Attendees stood in silence as the service marked the start of a day of remembrance.
In Titahi Bay, a dawn service at the Titahi Bay RSA began at 6.30am, drawing members, families and the wider public. A citizens parade is set to follow later this morning from Whitehouse Road.
The city’s main civic commemoration is taking place at Te Rauparaha Park, where the Porirua City Civic Service began at 9am at the Peace Memorial. Residents gathered earlier for seating and a march from Hagley Street ahead of the formal service.
Services are continuing throughout the late morning across Porirua’s communities.
In Pāuatahanui, a memorial service at St Alban’s Church began at 10.15am, followed by wreath-laying at the local war memorial. At Takapūwahia Marae, a service is under way from 10.30am, reflecting the significance of Anzac Day across iwi and community spaces.
Further north, Pukerua Bay residents began their commemorations earlier with an 8am flag raising and recitation at the RSA. A community service at St Mark’s Church is scheduled for 11am, followed by a midday wreath-laying ceremony and Last Post at Whenua Tapu Cemetery.
Across Porirua, the spread of services highlights the strong local participation in Anzac Day, with events ranging from formal civic ceremonies to smaller community and marae-based gatherings.
Anzac Day commemorates New Zealand and Australian service personnel who have served in wars, conflicts and peacekeeping missions. For many in Porirua, the day is marked not only through organised services, but also through personal acts of remembrance with whānau and community.
Services and gatherings are expected to continue into the afternoon, as residents reflect on the shared history and ongoing impact of conflict.
Lest we forget.