Special events to honour Hurunui’s heroes who served

Hurunui’s soldiers who served in both world wars will be commemorated on Anzac Day at two historic events being held in the district.

On Friday 25 April 2025, Culverden’s new World War 1 and World War 2 memorial will be unveiled at 10.30am. The memorial features a six-metre high Corten steel laser-cut soldier and poppy that will be lit up at night.

Culverden Community Chair David Croft says community support for the project has been humbling. “So many people in the community have volunteered their time and expertise to make the memorial possible.”

Last year, the Culverden Community Committee was successfully granted $5,000 contestable funding for two storyboards that sit alongside the new memorial and which tell the stories of the men who left on the old branch line to join both wars.

The memorial will be officially unveiled by Hurunui District Mayor Marie Black. Terry Kingi and horses from the ANZAC Mounts Equine Rehab Unit will be assembled at the reserve and the flags will be raised by RSA representative Craig Ritchie.

The memorial has been largely funded by the sale of the Drill Hall in the 1980s, with the funds being held by the Amuri Community Committee. The memorial was a recipient of the Hurunui District Council’s Heritage Award.

At 2pm, the doors of Soldiers’ Block at Queen Mary Hospital Historic Reserve in Hanmer Springs will re-open to the community in a formal opening to which all are welcome, says Council’s Chief Strategy and Community Officer Judith Batchelor. The opening celebration marks the completion of the restoration project, which includes earthquake strengthening and the fitout of the community hall for community use.

Soldiers’ Block was built in 1916 for the mental recovery of soldiers returning from the horrors of the battlefields of World War 1. “The unique octagonal wings brought healing light and fresh air to the soldiers who were suffering from mental illness long after they had returned from battle. This approach was unique to New Zealand and internationally, and was based on Trentham Camp in England,” Batchelor says.

The building continued to sit at the heart of Hanmer Springs over the decades.

“The building has been a symbol of healing, serving as a drug and alcohol addiction treatment centre under the Taha Māori recovery programme up until 2003.”

Since then, the doors to Soldiers’ Block had remained closed until funding was secured in 2023 for its revitalisation, Batchelor says.

“This is a momentous occasion as we open wide the doors of this historic building that sits at the heart of our community.”

Hurunui Mayor Marie Black says Hurunui will be a destination not to be missed this Anzac Day.

“Throughout the district we will be connecting with our communities as we remember with deep gratitude the past and the sacrifices that were made. It is humbling to celebrate our history and those who went before us who stood for what was right and just. I invite you and your family to spend the day with us in Hurunui and to join us in our gratitude on this important day.”

ANZAC Day in Hurunui:

• Amberley Dawn Service: 6am – Amberley Pavilion
• Hanmer Springs Dawn Service: 6am – war memorial, Amuri Avenue Reserve
  
• Waiau Service: 8am – Waiau domain
• Rotherham: 9am – Rotherham swimming pool
• Omihi: 10am – Omihi war memorial, Omihi Reserve, Glenmark
• Scargill: 10am - Scargill Motunau Recreation Reserve
• Hawarden: 10am – Hawarden Memorial Hall.
• Cheviot: 10.30am – Cheviot Area School.
• Culverden: 10.30am - unveiling of new memorial and service, Rutherford Reserve
• Waipara: 11am – Waipara Memorial Hall
• Hanmer Springs: 2pm – formal opening of Soldiers’ Block.