Dame Cindy and Dr Davies meeting with veterans after the Act of Remembrance.
On the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918 the armistice between Germany and the Allies came into effect, signalling the end of World War One. To commemorate Armistice Day, Dame Cindy and Dr Davies attended a socially distanced Act of Remembrance at Pukeahu National War Memorial Park. The Act of Remembrance acknowledges the New Zealanders who served both here and overseas during the four-year war, which was about 9% of the population at the time.
In her speech, Dame Cindy noted the similarities between the first Armistice Day and today.
“This was at the height of the 1918 influenza pandemic, and some gatherings were cancelled for fear of spreading the virus. It is a sobering link to the present day, and I acknowledge there may be veterans and others who would have liked to have been here with us this morning, or at local commemorations, but have been prevented due to COVID-19”.
The Act of Remembrance was also attended by Minister for Veterans Hon Meka Whaitiri, Deputy Leader of the Opposition Dr Shane Reti, Chief of Defence AM Kevin Short, Dean of the Diplomatic Corps HE Mr Leasi Papali'i Tommy Scanlan and National President of the RSA BJ Clark.
For more history on New Zealand and Armistice Day, go to NZ History.