Papamoa War Memorial Community Trust

23/04/2026

The forecast is looking like a fine but chilly start to Anzac Day tomorrow. We look forward to welcoming you all to your local memorial to commemorate with us.

Reminder:
📍 Pāpāmoa War Memorial - Stella Place, Pāpāmoa Beach
🚗 Free Parking available at the Pony Club from 5am
☕ Coffee cart brewing early to warm you up.
🚶🏽‍♀️Parade gathers from 0530 to march on just before 0600

23/04/2026

Do you have questions about attending an Anzac Day Dawn Service? We've listed a few commonly asked questions to help make you feel more comfortable attending.

🙋 Can I wear my family's medals?
✅ Of course you can, wear them with pride on the right side of your jacket or outer layer. Only medals you have been awarded may be worn on the left.

🙋 What do I wear?
✅ A dawn service is similar in nature to a funeral, service men and women will be in their full dress uniforms but the main thing is that what you wear keeps you warm in is respectful of the occasion.

🙋 Do I have to sing along?
✅ The only items that we encourage the crowd to join in with our singer are the National Anthems of Australia 🇦🇺 and New Zealand 🇳🇿. The words are included on our programme just in case you need them.

🙋 How long is it?
✅ Our veterans are gathering from 0530 with the service starting with them marching on shortly before 0600 and we'll be finished before 0730

🙋 Can I lay a wreath?
✅ There are several pre-arranged official wreaths that will introduced and laid during the service. At the conclusion of the service, anyone is welcome to lay a poppy, wreath or other token of remembrance at the cenotaph.

🙋 Who can march in the parade?
✅ We welcome all current and ex-service men and women, Cadets, members of our local Police and Fire Brigade, Scouts and Guides. If you'd like to be part of the march, introduce yourself to our parade marshall Major Jude Telford, RNZNC (Retired) at the form up point by the entrance to the Pony Club below the memorial.

22/04/2026

We invite you all to join us at the Pāpāmoa War Memorial to commemorate Anzac Day at Dawn on the 25th of April.

📍 Stella Place, Pāpāmoa Beach
🚗 Free Parking available at the Pony Club from 5am
☕ Coffee cart brewing early to warm you up.

📷 from Kiwi Droneography

18/04/2026

If you see any collectors out and about this week, make sure to grab your poppy and wear it with pride.

Wearing your poppy 🧷 The poppy is a symbol of remembrance and recognition of sacrifice. Many people have many different thoughts and opinions on ‘poppy etiquette.’

Our rule, along with the Royal New Zealand RSA's, is this: wear the poppy with pride, and respect. You can pin your poppy in your hair, on your scarf, in your shirt pocket or on your blazer. You can wear it only on Anzac Day, or for as long as you see fit.

As long as you wear the poppy and understand why it’s important, that’s all that matters.

You will see our personnel wear them differently, for different reasons:

• Navy wear them on their left.
• Army wear them on their hat (beret or lemon squeezer).
• Air Force wear them on their right because, in the case of aircrew who have brevets on their uniforms, they don’t have any room when they wear medals on their left as well.

Find out more about Anzac Day ➡️ nzdf.mil.nz/Anzac-Day

17/04/2026

One week to go until we commemorate Anzac Day with a Dawn Service at the Pāpāmoa War Memorial.

Join us as we gather from 0530 for the Veterans to march on at 0550.

📍 Stella Place, Pāpāmoa Beach
🚗 Free Parking available at the Pony Club
☕ Coffee cart brewing early to warm you up.

See you there.

10/11/2025

Thank you to everyone who joined us yesterday to commemorate the signing of the armistice and to reflect on the often forgotten service of animals at war.

We look forward to seeing you all on Anzac Day and then back again next year for Remembrance Day.

08/11/2025

Thanks Steve Morris - Championing Papamoa on Council. Looking good and ready for tomorrow's service.

05/11/2025

Our MC for Sunday has been a Master of Crafts before becoming our Master of Ceremonies?

He's been busy making purple poppies to have at the memorial on Sunday. We encourage you to get creative and make your own too.

05/11/2025

04/11/2025

🐾🎖️ “Mascots at sea and in the trenches: Many New Zealand units kept animals like dogs, cats, goats and donkeys as mascots during WWI & WWII. Famous ones include the bulldog Pelorus Jack aboard HMS New Zealand, and “Major Major”, the bull-terrier with 19 Battalion. These animal mates helped morale, identity and spirit.

Join us to remember and learn more about the service of animals alongside our soldiers, sailors and aviators on Sunday 9 November.

03/11/2025

🚚🐴 Beyond horses: In rough terrains where vehicles couldn’t go, New Zealand forces used pack animals (donkeys, mules etc.) to move supplies, artillery and equipment. These animals played a vital role in WWI-era logistics.

Join us to remember and learn more about the service of animals alongside our soldiers, sailors and aviators on Sunday 9 November.