Palmerston North City Council is delighted to announce Judy Bailey ONZM and Dave Dobbyn ONZM as participants in New Zealand’s largest military spectacular - the NZ Tattoo being held in Palmerston North in April.

Having former broadcaster Judy Bailey as narrator for this spectacular couldn’t be more fitting, says Sacha Haskell – General Manager, Communications, Marketing, Events and Venues. “Judy is a national icon and who better take us on a unique journey, and tell the story of our homecoming heroes – the return of our troops from WWI.

“We’re also delighted to have songwriter and singer Dave Dobbyn, fill the arena with a special performance. The whole event will be a remarkable conclusion to New Zealand’s WW1 commemorative events.’

“It’ll be an emotional, yet celebratory event. I’m not sure there will be a dry eye in the audience when the final pipe blows.”

Six hundred musical performers will also gather to celebrate and honour New Zealand’s troops past. Among them will be 50 performers from the Hawaiian 25th Infantry Division Band who are coming over especially to be part of the Tattoo.

“They’ll be playing a fantastic mix of original jazz, swing, rock - even modern covers like Bruno Mars. It’s so much more than your ‘traditional’ stuff. For them it's a matter of the shared pacific connection with New Zealand. It’s about the relationship between our nations’ ancestors, and sharing that goodwill.”

“What makes this event unique, it’s the first Tattoo in the world to have a New Zealand theme, says Mayor Grant Smith. “It’ll showcase national stories, and, the Māori Battalion which this city has a close relationship with. This will be a legacy event, and will be a phenomenal, jaw-dropping show.”

As well as music and stories, there’s a lot of excitement and fun to be expected around the live “Battle of Palmerston North”, which will include helicopters, tanks, police dogs and about 15 minutes of full-on military display.

The New Zealand Tattoo takes place at the Central Energy Trust Arena 12 and 13 April 2019. Tickets are now on sale and start from $29, including a special VIP hospitality evening including entertainment. All tickets are available from ticketdirect.co.nz

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