Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
DG Commonwealth War Graves Commission to visit
Media Release
For immediate release Tuesday, 3 February,
2004
Director-General Commonwealth War Graves Commission to visit New Zealand
Mr Richard Kellaway, Director-General of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, will visit New Zealand from 5 to 13 February 2004 to inspect war graves of the First and Second World Wars throughout the country.
The Prime Minister and Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage Helen Clark will host a reception for the Director-General at Premier House in Wellington on 10 February.
The Commonwealth War Graves Commission was established by Royal Charter on 21 May 1917. New Zealand is a signatory to the Charter.
The Commission, which is based in the United Kingdom, is responsible for commemorating the 1.7 million members of the Commonwealth Armed Forces who died during the two World Wars, and for the care of their graves throughout the world.
Costs are shared by partner governments – New Zealand, Australia, United Kingdom, Canada, India and South Africa – in proportion to the number of graves from each country. The Commission’s annual budget is approximately ₤35 million, of which New Zealand contributes 2.14 %. The Ministry for Culture and Heritage acts as the Commission’s New Zealand Agent.
Of the almost 30,000 New Zealand casualties from both World Wars, 2908 are buried in 433 sites throughout New Zealand. In addition, 570 casualties, with no known grave, are commemorated on memorials in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin.
Periodically, a senior representative from the Commission will visit New Zealand to meet with key stakeholders and inspect many of New Zealand’s war graves. These visits raise public awareness of the work of the Commission and verify that New Zealand is maintaining its graves to a high standard.
Mr Kellaway’s itinerary includes several provincial regions in addition to Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin. (Full itinerary attached.)
The Deputy Director-General, Roger Dalley, visited New Zealand in 2000, and the former Director-General, David Kennedy, in 1994.
Further
information about the Commonwealth War Graves Commission is
available online: www.mch.govt.nz/heritage/cwgc
-ENDS-
Gordon Campbell: On Justin Trudeau’s Demise, In A Global Context
Socialist Equality Group: Foreign Interference Bill Prepares New Attacks On Democratic Rights
Melanie Nelson: Act Now On The Proposed Regulatory Standards Bill
Climate Justice Taranaki: The Bill For Individualism, Corporations And Neoliberalism
Ministry For Culture & Heritage: New Zealand Flag Half-Masting To Mark The Funeral Of Senior Sergeant Lyn Fleming, NZ Police
Child Poverty Action Group: Anti-poverty Groups Say Amendments To Social Security Act Will Remove Job Seekers’ Human Rights
Justice Committee: Justice Committee Reopens Submissions For Principles Of The Treaty Of Waitangi Bill To Tuesday 14 January
