Despite the unrelenting wind and rain, hundreds turned out to attend the ANZAC Day dawn services in both Wānaka and Hāwea this morning (Thursday April 25).

Hāwea District ANZAC Committee chair John Taylor estimated about 600 people attended the service at the Lake Hāwea dam and their enthusiasm to commemorate and celebrate ANZAC Day was undiminished by the inclement weather.

Master of ceremonies at Hāwea Sergeant Lorne Capell said he was grateful and proud of the community's support.

“It speaks volumes for the stoic locals who, in recognition of the significance of the day, decided to come along regardless of the conditions,” he said.

That included Hāwea Flat school pupils who called the Roll of Honour and read the poem, anthem singers Alex Cowen and Clare Currie, and guest speaker Major Michael Clulow RNZE, who all stepped up under “challenging conditions”.

In Wānaka, the services were led by Commander Lyal Cocks RNZN (Rtd). The Dawn Service included the New Zealand and Australian national anthems, sung by Jen Anderson and Chris Hadfield respectively, the Ode of Remembrance recited by Paul Miller, and Year 12 Te Kura o Tititea Mt Aspiring College (MAC) student, Ryan Enoka (16) gave the speech.

Year 12 MAC student Ryan Enoka, who was the guest speaker at Wānaka’s Dawn Service, also attended the service at the Cenotaph. PHOTO: Wānaka App

In te reo and English, Ryan acknowledged forebears and honoured the dead; he spoke of the warriors who travelled far from home to fight battles, whose “footprints still clothe distant lands”, and the sacrifices they made “so that we can live in freedom in the present time”.

The rain had eased as more than 350 people filled the Lake Wānaka Centre at 9:30 for the civic service. Father Martin Flannery officiated; St John Youth provided the Colour Party and members Tenki Watanabe and Lily Wilson recited the poem “In Flanders Fields” and gave the Bible reading; the guest speakers were MAC’s four head students, Zavier Taylor, Tom Sides, Lottie Hunt and Daisy Sanders.

A highlight of the civic service was a moving performance by the New Zealand Youth Choir which is touring Otago and was in Wānaka for a concert, performed yesterday afternoon. 

Bagpiper Clifford Hiscoke leads the New Zealand Youth Choir in an impromptu performance of Pōkarekare Ana at Wānaka’s Cenotaph. PHOTO: Wānaka App

The skies had cleared in time for the choir to also perform outside at the wreath and poppy laying service at Wānaka’s Cenotaph. Several choir members said the vista from the Cenotaph made it the most beautiful place they had performed.

Sadly, even though blue skies prevailed by 11:00am, the anticipated ANZAC Day flypast remained grounded by wind. 

The Wānaka RSA committee also reported that more than $10,000 was raised in Poppy Day collections in the Upper Clutha this year.