Anzac Day troubles me because when all the processions, words and rituals are done, I don’t know what it means. That’s frightening given its resurgence as a quasi belief system in New Zealand that seems to demand an almost unquestioning reverence. It’s not that I haven’t tried to understand. I’ve ploughed my way through books, Read more
Anzac Day moves me. I think about the soldiers who went away as members of the British Empire and who came back as New Zealanders. I think about my Grandfather who served in Italy. I think about my shipmates I served with in the Navy and I think about the people I know who are Read more
The New Zealand Parliament has rejected legislation to allow Easter trading for the 11th time. 10 bills have been put up by National members and one by Labour. The present bill was sponsored by National MP for Waitaki Jacqui Dean and proposed allowing shops to open over Easter in Waitaki and Wanaka. It was voted Read more
When war veteran “Frankie” Kearns died, he had no family to consider how he would be remembered at Kelvin Grove Cemetery. A cross was fixed to his grave, but remained without a headstone. But someone remembered him, and Elizabeth Lawn, a carer at Mr Kearn’s former rest home, made it a routine to stop by Read more
When our pilgrim group of Sydney teachers was sitting in the ancient amphitheatre at Ephesus, another group of Australians started to sing Advance Australia Fair for the tourists from many nations. They were pleasantly surprised when our group joined them. Mostly young, they were on their way to Gallipoli, with many New Zealanders. Officials estimated Read more
This gets personal. In fact, should I even be saying all this to people I have never met? What do I say? How far do I go? These are things I never talk about with strangers. Anzac Day is one of those mysterious days. We know the meaning, only what is the meaning precisely? I Read more
The Second Battle of Passchendaele, during which 845 New Zealand soldiers died, was the blackest day in New Zealand history. Yet the battle is not well known and most Kiwis will probably go about their lives with no thought of it. But a small group is trying to put the battle back on the map. Read more