St Matthew-in-the-City hosts Remembrance Day

MEDIA RELEASE

30 October 2006

St Matthew-in-the-City hosts Remembrance Day

This year marks the 88th anniversary of Remembrance Day, which commemorates the armistice that ended the First World War and the sacrifice of those who died serving New Zealand in this and other armed conflicts.

Diplomatic and government dignitaries, military units, members of the Royal NZ Returned Services Association and all Aucklanders wishing to honour those New Zealanders who served and died for their country are invited to gather on Sunday, 12 November at St Matthew-in-the-City for a service of remembrance. Preceded by a military parade at 11am down Hobson Street, the service, led by Vicar Glynn Cardy, will begin at 11:30am.

The Governor-General, His Excellency the Hon. Anand Satyanand will represent the Crown; His Worship the Mayor Dick Hubbard, will represent the City of Auckland; and the keynote speaker, the Hon. David Cunliffe, MP, will represent the government. Representatives of the diplomatic corps, the Armed Forces and the judiciary will also be in attendance.

On the first anniversary of the armistice, 11 November 1919, a two minute silence was instituted as part of the main commemorative ceremony in Whitehall, London. King George V had personally requested all people of the British Empire to suspend normal activities for two minutes on the hour of the armistice. Two minutes silence was popularly adopted and it became a central feature of commemorations on Armistice Day.

After the Second World War, Britain and her Dominions, including New Zealand, agreed to change the name and date of Armistice Day to Remembrance Day, now to be observed on the second Sunday in November.

ENDS

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