HERITAGE AND HISTORICAL MATTERS

On this page, you will find Heritage-related items. This may include Military Heritage items, Military History presentation programme details, and other items of heritage interest.

PALMERSTON NORTH WAR MEMORIAL - CENOTAPH

Joe Hollander was contacted by 92.2 (More) FM just before the Easter Weekend  for a radio interview about the PN War Memorial/Cenotaph.   There has been some ongoing criticism in recent years about its correct name and history.  PNCC thought he could clear this up for the benefit of the PN community. Click on the the audio link below to hear what he has to day:

HERITAGE MONTH - MARCH 2025

“Heritage Month featuring Local History Week

March in Palmerston North is Heritage Month.

Across the month there are over 85 activities, presented and hosted by 50 organisations and individuals.

We warmly invite you to participate in Heritage Month.

Most activities are free to attend. Due to space limits, many require advance registration. You can register by contacting the Heritage Team:  heritage@pncc.govt.nz .

Please find a direct link to the brochure here: Heritage-Month-A5-Brochure-Print.pdf

And a link to the digital programme including the print programme here: Palmerston North City Library | Local History Week & Heritage Month”

Here is a pdf of the booklet:  Heritage-Month-A5-Brochure-Print

2026 MILITARY HISTORY PRESENTATION PROGRAMME 

The Engineer Corps Memorial Centre (ECMC), of the RNZE Charitable Trust (RNZE CT) in partnership with the Palmerston North City Library (PNCL), will host the following presentations:

12 Feb (Thu – MMMHP) – “80th Anniversary of RNZAF Receiving its First Jet – a Gloster Meteor” (11 Feb 1946), by SQNLDR Barry Nelson, RNZAF, Flying Instructor, No 14 Sqn, RNZAF

12 Mar (Thu - MMMHP) – “21st Anniversary of the NZDF Response to the Indian Ocean Tsunami Disaster in Banda Aceh in Jan 2005”, by MAJ Andrew Brooks, RNZAMC, XO, DHO

24 Mar (Tue – EPLP) – “35th Anniversary of the RNZAF deployment to the First Gulf War in 1991”, by Dr Nina Harding, Massey University

9 Apr (Thu - MMMHP) – “80th Anniversary of J Force in Japan”, by Dr David Littlewood, Massey University

21 Apr (Tue - EPLP) – “110th Anniversary of the First ANZAC Day Service”, by LTGEN (Rtd) Rhys Jones, CNZM, former Chief of the NZDF and current Chair of the RNZRSA Board

14 May (Thu - MMMHP) – “70th Anniversary of the Suez Crisi in 1956”, by COL Dr Peter Wood, ONZM, NZ Army Standby Reserve

11 Jun (Thu - MMMHP) – “180th Anniversary of the Wellington War (Attack on Boulcott’s Farm on 16 May 1866)”, by LTCOL Dr Richard Taylor, RNZAEC, Director, NZ Wars Study Centre, NZDC

9 Jul (Thu - MMMHP) – “160th Anniversary of the Third Taranaki War (in January 1866)”, by LTCOL Dr Richard Taylor, RNZAEC, Director, NZ Land Wars Study Centre

13 Aug (Thu - MMMHP) – “80th Anniversary of HMNZS Achilles (Leander Class Cruiser) Being Decommissioned and Sold to the Indian Navy”, by RADM (Rtd) David Ledson, former Chief of the RNZN

10 Sep (Thu - MMMHP) – “40th Anniversary of ANZUS Security Pact Suspension in 1986 (NZ bans Nuclear Ships in its waters)”, by Dr Nina Harding, Massey University

22 Sep (Tue – EPLP) – “110th Anniversary of the Formation of the NZ Division on the Western Front and activities on the Somme”, by LTCOL (Rtd) Prof Glyn Harper, QSM, PhD

8 Oct (Thu - MMMHP) – “NZ Wars Month - 140th Anniversary of the Transfer of the Armed Constabulary to the Permanent Militia (by the Defence Act of 1886)”, by COL Dr Peter Wood, ONZM, NZ Army Standby Reserve

20 Oct (Tue – EPLP and Book Launch) - “GEN Leslie Morshead, one of the greatest Australian Army Commanders in the Second World War”, by LTCOL (Rtd) Prof Glyn Harper, QSM, PhD

11 Nov (Wed - EPLP) – Remembrance Day – “110th Anniversary of the Engineer Tunnelling Company Operating on the Western Front”, by Peter Cooke, Renowned NZ Military Historian

24 Nov (Thu – MMMHP) - “60th Anniversary of 161 Battery, RNZA, Supporting 1 ATF at the Battle of Long Tan in Vietnam”, by WO1 (Rtd) Dave Hayward, MBE, MSM, RNZIR, former Sergeant Major of the NZ Army and Renowned NZ Author

(Note: Most EPLP = Evening Public Lecture Presentations and MMMHP = Monthly Midday Military History Presentations will be held on the Mezzanine Floor of the Palmerston North City Library (PNCL). All speakers and topics shown above are potential until confirmed and invite posters are released. See previous PPTX and audio recordings (2020-2025) on www.nzsappers.org.nz.

PNCC MILITARY HERITAGE/HISTORY, ANNIVERSARY AND COMMEMORATION PROGRAMME FOR 2026

This programme follows on from the approved and successful previous activity listings. It includes the military history presentations known as the “Evening Public Lecture Presentations” (EPLP) and the “Monthly Midday Military History Presentations” (MMMHP) series. There are also “Major City Events” as shown below and other related NZDF and military historical anniversaries, activities, and events. Rather than a five-year rolling programme, PNDHAG members decided in 2025 to follow the annual “RNZRSA Remembrance Calendar” and significant military commemorations and historical anniversaries. Separate invitations will follow and confirm dates, timings, and venues, together with any associated booking, RSVP and/or health and safety requirements.

2026 Programme:

6 Feb – (Fri) Waitangi Day

7 Feb – (Sat) Commemoration of the Centenary of the Unveiling of the PN Cenotaph/War Memorial in Te Marae o Hine/The Square

12 Feb – (Thu - MMMHP) “80th Anniversary of RNZAF Receiving its First Jet – a Gloster Meteor (11 Feb 1946)”, by SQNLDR Barry Nelson, RNZAF

13-15 Feb – “Crises, Characters & Controversies in NZ Military History” Conference at Massey University Campus, Wellington

24 Feb – (Tue) Purple Poppy Day – Honours and remembers the animals that have served during wars and conflicts

1 Mar – (Sun) Explore Esplanade Day

9 Mar – 12 Apr – PNCC Heritage Month in Palmerston North

12 Mar – (Thu - MMMHP) “21st Anniversary of the NZDF Response to the Indian Ocean Tsunami Disaster in Banda Ache in Jan 2005”, by MAJ Andrew Brooks, RNZAMC

13-15 Mar – NZ Rural Games in Te Marae o Hine/The Square

19-12 Mar – Central Districts Field Days (Feilding)

24 Mar – (Tue – EPLP) “35th Anniversary of the RNZAF Deployment to the First Gulf War in 1991”, by Dr Nina Harding, Massey University

25 Mar – (Wed) NZ Army Day (Established 1845)

1 Apr – (Wed) RNZAF Day (Established 1937)

9 Apr – (Thu - MMMHP) “80th Anniversary of “J Force” in Japan”, by Dr David Littlewood, Massey University

17 Apr – (Fri) Poppy Day in NZ

21 Apr – (Tue – EPLP) “110th Anniversary of the First ANZAC Day Service in NZ”, by LTGEN (Rtd) Rhys Jones, CNZM, former Chief of the NZDF and current Chair of the RNZRSA Board

25 Apr – (Sat) ANZAC Day (Dawn and Civic) Parades and Services in Te Marae o Hine/The Square and elsewhere in Ashhurst, Bunnythorpe, Linton Camp and the Māori Battalion Hall (also incorporating Centenary Commemoration of the Unveiling of the PN Cenotaph/War Memorial in Te Marae o Hine/The Square)

8 May – (Fri) Victory in Europe (VE) Day, WW2 (1945)

14 May – (Thu - MMMHP) “70th Anniversary of the Suez Crisis in 1956”, by COL Dr Peter Wood, ONZM, NZ Army Standby Reserve

29 May – (Fri) International Day of UN Peacekeepers – commemorated by all who have served as UN Peacekeepers

1 Jun – (Mon) King’s Birthday

11 Jun – (Thu - MMMHP) “180th Anniversary of the Wellington War (Attack on Boulcott’s Farm on 16 May 1866)”, by LTCOL Dr Richard Taylor, RNZAEC, Director, NZ Wars Study Centre, NZDC

9 Jul – (Thu - MMMHP) “160th Anniversary of the Third Taranaki War (in January 1866”), by LTCOL Dr Richard Taylor, RNZAC, Director, NZ Wars Study Centre, NZDC

13 Aug – (Thu - MMMHP) “80th Anniversary of HMNZS Achilles (Leander Class Cruiser) Being Decommissioned and Sold to the Indian Navy”, by RADM (Rtd) David Ledson, former Chief of the RNZN

15 Aug – (Sat) Victory over Japan (VJ) Day, WW2 (1945)

18 Aug – (Tue) – NZ National Vietnam Veterans’ Day

27 Aug – 70th Anniversary of the Granting of Freedom Charters to LMC and RNZAF Base Ohakea

Sep (dates TBA) – PNCC Local History Week (PNCL)

3 Sep – (Thu) Merchant Navy Day

10 Sep – (Thu - MMMHP) “40th Anniversary of the ANZUS Security Pact Suspension in 1986 (NZ bans Nuclear Ships in its waters)”, by Dr Nina Harding, Massey University

16 Sep – (Wed) NZ National Day of Malaya, Malaysia and Borneo Commemoration Day

22 Sep – (Tue – EPLP) “110th Anniversary of the Formation of the NZ Division on the Western Front and Activities on the Somme”, by LTCOL (Rtd) Prof Glyn Harper, QSM, PhD

1 Oct – (Thu) RNZN Day (Established in 1941)

8 Oct – (Thu - MMMHP) – “NZ Wars Month – 140th Anniversary of the Transfer of the Armed Constabulary to the Permanent militia (by the Defence Act of 1886)”, by COL Peter Dr Peter Wood, ONZM, NZ Army Standby Reserve

20 Oct – (Tue – EPLP and Book Launch) “GEN Leslie Morshead, one of the greatest Australian Army Commanders in the Second World War”, by LTCOL (Rtd0 Prof Glyn Harper, QSM, PhD

28 Oct – (Wed) Te Putake o te Riri, He Ra Maumahara/National Day of Commemoration of the NZ Wars

8 Nov – Remembrance Sunday

11 Nov – (Wed) Remembrance (Armistice and Poppy Places) Day Parade and Service in Te Marae o Hine/The Square

11 Nov – (Wed – EPLP) Remembrance Day- “110th Anniversary of the Engineer Tunneling Company Operating on the Western Front”, by Peter Cooke, Renowned NZ military Historian and Author

24 Nov – (Thu - MMMHP) “60th Anniversary of 161 Battery, RNZA, Supporting 1 ATF at the Battle of Long Tan in Vietnam”, by WO1 (Rtd) Dave Hayward, MBE, RNZIR, former Sergeant Major of the NZ Army and Renowned NZ Author

Other notable anniversaries in 2026:

180th anniversary of the Wellington Campaign in 1846

160th anniversary of the British Campaign in Taranaki in 1866

110th anniversary of the formation of the NZ Division (1 Mar 1916) in Armentieres and the Battle of the Somme

110th anniversary loss of NZ Engineer Tunneling Company operations on the Western Front

110th anniversary of the ANZAC Mounted Rifle Brigade in action (Battle of Romani – 3 Aug 1916) with the ANZAC Mounted Division in the Sinai-Palestine Campaign

110th anniversary of the first ANZAC Day service in NZ (1st meeting of Provisional Executive)

110th anniversary of HMNZS New Zealand taking part in the Battle of Jutland

110th anniversary the Battle of Flers-Courcelette: NZ’s first day on the Somme

85th anniversary of NZ troops engaged in Greece, during WW2

80th anniversary of the disbandment of 2NZEF and HQ, 2 (NZ) Div in Jan 1946

80th anniversary of the return of the 28th Maori Battalion to NZ

80th anniversary of NZ involvement in “J Force”, during WW2

80th anniversary of Sir B. C. Freyberg becoming the Governor-General of NZ

80th anniversary of the Mutual Aid (Lend-Lease) Agreement with the USA being terminated

80th anniversary of the clothing rationing in NZ being abolished

80th anniversary of the National Airways Corporation (NAC) begins flying operations in NZ

80th anniversary of NZ’s trusteeship agreements for Western Samoa are approved by the UN General Assembly

70th anniversary of the Suez Crisis in 1956

70th anniversary of the Granting of the Freedom Charter of Palmerston North to Linton Military Camp and RNZAF Base (Station) Ohakea (27 Aug 1956)

70th anniversary of the Malayan Emergency: NZSAS begins its first operational patrol as part of OP GABES SOUTH (in 1956)

60th anniversary during Confrontation with Indonesia, HMNZS Hickleton opens fire on a sampan carrying armed infiltrators in the approaches to Singapore (in 1966)

50th anniversary of the appointment of “Sergeant Major of the NZ Army”, created on 8 Dec 1976

30th anniversary of the formation of the RNZALR, combining the RNZCT, RNZAAOC and RNZEME

20th anniversary of NZDF involvement in the war in Somalia

10th anniversary of NZDF elements being deployed to Timor as part of the International Stabilisation Force (2006-2012)

2026 Notes – During Heritage Month (9 March- 12 April 2026), other military heritage activities (including displays and visits) are likely to be included, at PNCL, Te Manawa and about Palmy.

MMMHP sessions are normally held at midday on the second Thu in each month, Feb through Nov 26. EPLP sessions are being held on Tue evenings in Mar, Apr, Sep, Oct and Nov 2026. All presentations will be held in the PN City Library Mezzanine Floor (unless advised otherwise). Other military history presentations by visiting historians and book launches/releases are also programmed throughout each year and will be advised separately. Event invite posters will confirm all timings and venues for these activities.