25/04/2026
Ka maumahara tonu tātou ki a rātou - We will remember them.
Our community gathered for the annual Wellington South Anzac service on a beautiful sunny day after a tough week for many in our area. We started with a parade led by bagpipers from City Of Wellington Pipe Band and including our local schools, Island Bay School, St Francis de Sales School, South Wellington Intermediate School, 1st Island Bay Scout Group, Island Bay Girls' Brigade - 11th Wellington Company, Island Bay & Brooklyn Girlguiding and the popular Island Bay Light Horse Club, setting a reflective tone. Led by Rev Nathan Parry from Island Bay Presbyterian Church, we came together to pay tribute to all who have lived lives of service—both on the battlefield and in our everyday communities. Guest speaker Nik Solia, Principal at St Francis de Sales shared an inspiring acrostic of P.E.A.C.E and how important it is today in our own corner of the world. We are grateful to the local Combined Churches of Island Bay, St Hilda's Anglican Church Island Bay, Wellington South Baptist Church and Catholic Parish of Wellington South for leading this commemoration on behalf of the RSA, New World Island Bay for their generous donation of Anzac biscuits, the Pelorus Trust, and the Duke of Edinburgh participants and students from Rongotai College who volunteered their time to support the event. Most of all, thank you to everyone who attended and took a moment to reflect on the sacrifices of those who came before us.
Kei wareware tātou – Lest we forget.
