The Royal New Zealand Returned and Services’ Association’s (RSA) annual Poppy Day resumes this Friday (April 16) and Saturday (April 17) after its cancellation last year due to Covid-19 restrictions.

The annual community fundraising effort on behalf of the RSA, also known as Poppy Day, will return to Wanaka with poppies being handed out in return for a donation in the foyers at both New World supermarkets, Mitre 10 MEGA, and outside Paper Plus on Helwick Street.

While cash donations are preferred, an arrangement has been made for eftpos donations at the supermarkets, and a QR code is available at all collection points to direct donations to a Givealittle Poppy Appeal page.

In 2020 the Poppy Day appeal, New Zealand’s longest running charity street appeal, was cancelled due to the nationwide Covid lockdown and the RSA was given $2M by the government to address the veteran need.

The Veterans’ Brass Band played at Wanaka’s Dawn Service in 2019. PHOTO: Wanaka App

The appeal this year is themed “Service and Sacrifice”, acknowledging women and the military; women who serve and who provide support for those serving, domestically and on deployments, in and out of uniform.

This year also marks the return to Wanaka of the New Zealand Veterans’ Brass Band for performances before ANZAC Day as well as leading the dawn and civic services in Wanaka on ANZAC Day.

Tuba player and Wanaka local David Leslie said the band members are looking forward to returning to Wanaka following their successful visit in 2019.

Hāwea’s ANZAC Dawn Service is held on the peninsula above the dam. PHOTO: Supplied

Although formed as a traditional brass band, its repertoire features a wide range of music genres, ranging from ceremonial fanfares, marches and world war one melodies to light classics and pop.

The band’s first performance will be outside Kai Whakapai on Ardmore Street at 2:00pm on Thursday April 22, followed by concerts in Cromwell, Alexandra and Arrowtown, before it returns to Wanaka on ANZAC Day (April 25).

The band will feature at Wanaka’s dawn service at 6:30am on the foreshore end of Helwick Street, then again at the civic service which starts at 9:15am in the Lake Wanaka Centre. Players will also be involved in the march to the Cenotaph, on Chalmers Street, for a final wreath laying service and traditional flypast.

The band will conclude its ANZAC Day performances with a concert for residents in the Aspiring Lifestyle village.

Hāwea’s Dawn Service starts at 7:00am at the ANZAC memorial on the peninsula beside the Hāwea dam.