Anzac Day is a time for Kiwis (and our Aussie cousins) to reflect, remember, and come together out of respect for all those who have served for our country. This month, we speak with local people involved in commemorating the day and explore what it means to them, and how the community can get involved to continue the spirit and significance of commemorations. Our interviewees reference current world events in reflecting on the importance of Anzac Day, and they provide interesting insights and details on local events happening this year.
East Coast Bays RSA
Ali Martin is the president of the East Coast Bays RSA. He also works as an IT consultant and runs his own business, Digital Redesignz. Ali has been part of East Coast Bays RSA for more than 15 years, and this is his fourth year as president. Originally from Devizes in Wiltshire, England, Ali has called New Zealand home for 24 years and is married with two adult daughters. Before settling 'down under', he served in the British Army with the Royal Corps of Signals in Germany (BAOR).
Channel Mag: How are you preparing for Anzac Day this year?
Ali Martin: Our Anzac Day planning actually starts back in November. It’s a big undertaking and involves a huge amount of time and dedication, especially from our vice president, Donna Stewart. There’s coordination with Auckland Council, local schools, bands, and all the moving parts that go into both the dawn and civic services. It takes many hours of volunteer work to make sure everything runs smoothly. Running the only North Shore dawn service makes it even more important that we get it right. We also work closely with the Devonport and Birkenhead RSAs to ensure consistency and support across the Shore.
What role do you play in shaping the services and commemorations each year?
My main role is organising the after‑events at Speakers Corner Ale House and the Bays Club. It’s our way of saying thank you to everyone who supports us each year, and it also helps us continue supporting local businesses, something we’ve done for a long time. Donna is the key organiser for both the dawn and civic parades, working alongside Auckland Council. There’s a mountain of paperwork, permits, logistics, and coordination involved, including speakers, singers, pipe bands, cadet units and parade planning... the list goes on. Good planning is absolutely essential.
What makes this year’s commemorations meaningful for your members and the wider North Shore community?
Every year is meaningful. Everything the RSA stands for comes back to honouring our veterans. Even though we no longer have clubrooms, we still have a strong presence in the North Shore community. Our involvement in the Poppy Appeal and Anzac Day remains as active as ever. These events are at the heart of who we are.
North Shore RSAs each have unique histories. What local stories or traditions matter most this year?
The East Coast Bays area has a rich history of service, with strong connections to both world wars and many active serving members today. For us, it’s not about highlighting something ‘just for this year’, it's about consistently recognising and honouring that history every year. It’s part of our identity.
How do you engage younger generations to ensure the legacy of remembrance continues?
We’ve always worked closely with the local cadet units, and we support them each year with ongoing donations. They’re a vital part of our legacy and the future of remembrance. Our services also include local schools, with students giving speeches and performing. We’ve noticed a strong turnout from younger generations at both the dawn and civic services, which is encouraging. We always remind people that Anzac Day isn’t just a day off; it has meaning, and it’s important to understand why we gather at 6am to remember.
What message would you like to share with Channel Mag readers about remembrance, community, and supporting veterans today?
It’s important to remember our history and why Anzac Day exists. Gallipoli may be long past, but Anzac Day is a time to reflect on all wars and all who served. We only need to look at the news to see how fragile peace can be. WWI was meant to be ‘the war to end all wars’, yet here we are. We need to learn from the past and work toward a world where people and nations can live side by side in peace. Anzac Day shouldn’t be treated as just another public holiday. It takes only a couple of minutes at dawn to stand, reflect, and honour those who never came home and the families who never saw them return. It’s also a time to support those who are serving today, protecting New Zealand’s interests and helping preserve the freedoms we enjoy. We would like to say to all Channel Mag readers that if you are a veteran, or if you know a veteran who needs some support, contact your local RSA or ECB RSA on 09 478 8033 or ecbrsa@xtra.co.nz .
East Coast Bays RSA: ecbrsa.co.nz
The Navy Museum
Jane Cotty is the communications and engagement manager at the Navy Museum, where permanent exhibitions showcase the story of the Navy’s contribution in New Zealand. She has worked at the museum for nearly nine years and is a local, living in Belmont with her family.
Channel Mag: How are you preparing for Anzac Day this year?
Jane Cotty: Anzac Day at the museum is a very special day for our visitors and us. This year, the museum is preparing by making sure all the bits to make our traditional paper poppies with the public are cut out and ready to go. Our educator Emma will be working with local schools, talking about Anzac Day, the significance of the poppy and making poppies with the children. We also make poppies before Anzac Day with naval personnel on the base and with the Navy’s newest recruits, which we plant in our Remembrance Field.
What role do you play in shaping the services and commemorations held on the Shore each year?
Our role on Anzac Day is to provide a space for our community and veterans to come and remember their fellow sailors, meet friends and family and share stories. We make traditional paper poppies with visitors all day to plant in our Remembrance Field, which sits in our remembrance space. Some visitors choose to recognise individual family members who have served when they plant their poppy. Our front-of-house team enjoys talking with visitors about Anzac Day and taking short tours of the galleries. Over the years, we’ve noticed increasing numbers of recent arrivals, new Kiwis, who like to visit the museum on Anzac Day to gain an understanding of the commemoration and connection to their new home.
What message would you like to share with Channel Mag readers about remembrance, community and supporting veterans today?
The museum offers a safe space for veterans to meet their families, friends and to share their personal stories. We recognise the service of past and present service people and create meaning and connection for our community with Anzac Day. We invite our community to come down to the museum after their local Anzac Day service to remember and honour those who have served and join us to make a paper poppy.
Torpedo Bay Navy Museum, 64 King Edward Parade, Devonport. navymuseum.co.nz
Devonport RSA
Muzz Kennett is a current serving member of the Royal New Zealand Navy and the recent president of the Devonport RSA. He has just passed the baton to a new president. He joined the Navy two days after his sixteenth birthday and has served for an impressive 51 years!
Channel Mag: How are you preparing for Anzac Day this year?
Muzz Kennett: A service is planned to commence at 11am, with a street march from Fleet Street at 10.45am to the memorial. The RNZN Pipes and Drums band will lead the parade, followed by the veterans platoon, then the platoons of the newest Naval recruits, the local area volunteer fire brigade, scouts, schools and others.
What role do you play in shaping the services and commemorations held on the Shore each year?
I generally help plan the event with the assistance of the RSA committee and the events manager from Auckland Council.
What makes this year's commemorations meaningful for your members and the wider North Shore community?
Anzac Day is a time to remember those who have fought and died for New Zealand in all wars. It is also time to reflect on current conflicts and acknowledge the sacrifices that those who are currently serving make.
North Shore RSAs each have unique histories. What local stories or traditions are important to highlight this year?
This year, we will be telling the story of Lt John Walker, RNZN, WWII Devonport resident who was killed on active service in the English Channel on 26 December 1944 aged 33. His son is still alive, served in the Navy and is a current member of the Devonport RSA.
How do you engage younger generations to ensure the legacy of remembrance continues?
We make a point of involving the youth of Devonport; we engage a young person to recite the ode in te reo, the RSA Takapuna Grammar School youth ambassador reads the Anzac dedication, Devonport Primary School students read a prayer and a bible reading, 11 year old Celine Wu plays the last post and reveille, Sea Cadets provide the catafalque guard and flag bearers, and the newest Naval recruits parade.
What message would you like to share with Channel Mag readers about remembrance, community and supporting veterans today?
The Devonport community consistently shows strong support for the Devonport RSA and its veterans. In turn, the RSA gives back by donating to youth groups, and recently started a youth volunteer group. Veterans from previous wars and current conflicts rely on RSA assistance, especially as more individuals returning from overseas are suffering from PTSD or are experiencing difficulties and seeking help. Your generous contributions to the annual Poppy Appeal are greatly appreciated.
Devonport RSA: devonportrsa.co.nz
Birkenhead RSA
George Coffin is a life member and currently the welfare delegate of the Birkenhead RSA. He has been a member of the RSA for 32 years, serving as president, vice president and committee member for the last 24 years, and was previously involved from age 18 in the Kaitaia RSA, where his father was a life member. George is also a nominated member of the Poppy Foundation committee, a subsidiary of the Ranfurly Veterans’ Trust. George has a great deal of experience and knowledge, having served in the Royal New Zealand Navy, the hospitality industry, education and the property maintenance arena. His family has belonged to the RSA movement since the end of the Second World War, with his father and uncles having served.
Channel Mag: What role do you play in shaping the services and commemorations held on the Shore each year?
George Coffin: For the last four years, I have organised Anzac Day for the Birkenhead RSA by liaising with the Kaipatiki Community Facilities Trust, the Birkenhead RSA section manager, the Birkenhead RSA executive committee members and the Birkenhead RSA’s women’s section. It’s a varied event with roles to cover including poppy stands, parade marshall, band, colour and catafalque party, liaising with politicians, wreaths, transport and more.
What makes this year's commemorations meaningful for your members and the wider North Shore community?
Every year, it is important to remember those who have fallen who gave up their lives so we could live free of oppression. In addition, to pass on this history to our younger people.
North Shore RSAs each have unique histories – what local stories or traditions are important to highlight this year?
The Birkenhead Returned Services Association was first conceived at a meeting of interested people in the rooms of Dr J.W. Craven at Highbury in 1929. This led to the formation of the Birkenhead Returned Services Club, which had its first AGM on 30 August 1930 in what was then the RAOB Hall at Highbury. The committee elected at that AGM developed the initial rules/constitution of the organisation, which was to be a sub-branch of the Auckland RSA. Birkenhead RSA currently has one member who is 100, and another who is 107. This 107-year-old was the guest speaker at the Birkenhead RSA Armistice Day commemoration last year, and he spoke very eloquently.
How do you engage younger generations to ensure the legacy of remembrance continues?
We endeavour to visit local schools and work closely with Birkdale Primary School. We currently engage students from the Vanguard Military School to participate in the Anzac Day parade as our colour and catafalque party. We also encourage local scouting groups and children from kindergartens and schools to march in the Anzac Day parade. Every year, we drop off poppy boxes at all the schools within our designated area.
What message would you like to share with Channel Mag readers about remembrance, community and supporting veterans today?
Poppy Day is the time when we reach out to the public for their support in raising funds for our veterans. Along with further support from the Ranfurly Trust, we are able to take care of our veterans' health and needs.
Birkenhead RSA: birkenheadrsa.com
