Armistice Day Commemoration

Join our Armistice Day memorial service as we remember all those who served and those who have given their lives in military service.

On this day that commemorates the signing of the WWI armistice, we will reflect on the sacrifices that were made in the hope of securing lasting peace.

The Great War of 1914 to 1918 (the First World War) was one of the most disastrous events in human history. New Zealand, with a population of 1.1 million in 1914, sent 100,000 men and women abroad. In total, the troops provided for foreign-service by New Zealand during the war represented 10% of its 1914 population between the ages of 20-45. By the time the war ended, 16,700 had died and over 40,000 were wounded – a higher per capita casualty rate than any other country involved.

The coming of peace on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month of 1918 brought blessed relief for all involved. On that day, New Zealand had 58,129 troops in the field, while an additional 10,000 were under training in New Zealand.