ANZAC Tribute to New Zealand’s Nurses

Kia ora and welcome to the Art of Remembrance 2025.

An evening of inspiring music, moving image and warm hospitality in the company of exceptional guests. An historic event to honour the Royal New Zealand Nursing Corps (RNZNC), all Veterans, and whānau.

To mark Anzac week, Kāhui St David's, Auckland's centre for music-making, inspiration and social connection, will host the 10th annual Art of Remembrance event on Anzac Eve, Wednesday 24 April in the Great Hall of St David's, the recently restored, magnificent World War One Memorial Church building in Grafton, Auckland.

A plaque to honour the RNZNC will be unveiled by Lieutenant Colonel David Foote, Chief Nursing Officer / RNZNC Regimental Colonel.

Georgina Greville, a senior nurse from Middlemore Hospital, whose immediate family included 5 World War One service members, will share the experiences of her grandmother and great aunt who served in Egypt, Lemnos and the Western Front.

We will also hear from members of the NZDF.

The programme will include:

• Guests arrive 6pm
• Veterans' Parade into the Great Hall
• Mihi & welcome
• Music includes - Taonga pūoro and Scottish bagpipes.

Soprano Felicity Tomkins will sing Vera Lynn's The White Cliffs of Dover and The Rose of No Man's Land with organist Helen Lukman-Fox

Soprano Michelle Thorne-McHugh will lead all to sing Hine e Hine by Fanny Howie and the 28thMāori Battalion song.

• From the World War Two archives, the Off Broadway Big Band will play The Army Nurses' Song by A Amohau, dedicated to the New Zealand Army Nursing Service
• In honour of the Royal New Zealand Nursing Corps, led by Lieutenant Colonel David Foote, Chief Nursing Officer / RNZNC Regimental Colonel.
• Addresses by LT COL Nick Jones ED (former CO of 3/6 Battalion), and Georgina Greville a senior nurse at Middlemore Hospital
• The Last Post, Ode and The Rouse
• Soup, fried bread, Anzac Biscuits, tea and coffee will be served
• Finishes 8pm
• View the Service + Sacrifice exhibition and images of the 28th Māori Battalion (details below).

Anzac Day exhibition

Not able to come to the main, musical, remembrance event on the 24th?

Come on Anzac Day any time between 11am - 2pm to see the newly restored St David's Memorial Church building, now home to Kāhui St David's centre for music and community, and these displays:

Service + Sacrifice

"What did you do in the war granny?"
An exhibition of highlights from the Western Bay Museum, Katikati, sharing heroic stories of New Zealand women. Main researchers Paula Gaelic, Pauline McCowan and Cherry Clements.

28th Māori Battalion Display

Whānau of the 28th Māori Battalion invite the public to view the photographs and for whānau to identify any family members you recognise.

With thanks to our event partners as displayed on the website and recognised in the event programme.