Anzac Day 2022
On our national day of remembrance, we commemorate those who served and lost their lives for our country. If you want to learn more, delve into Auckland Council Libraries’ books, podcasts and online research resources or come along to one of our events.
Events
Online Cenotaph Celebrating 25 Years with Victoria Passau – Wednesday 20 April 2022, 12pm-1pm
In this online-only event, Victoria Passau will be exploring the history and impact of the Online Cenotaph over the last quarter-century. You can book tickets for free on the OurAuckland website.
Our Thursday Heritage Concert Autumn Series starts with a commemorative concert acknowledging the sacrifices made in service of our country. Jazz musicians Alicia Kidd and Hank Trenton will explore New Zealand’s wartime experiences through songs written during the period like Pōkarekare Ana and Pack Up Your Troubles’. Their unique take on the songs and the stories behind them evokes the grief of war and inspires hope. Visit the Eventbrite website to book tickets.
Flanders Fields Heritage Concert – Thursday 28 April 2022, 12.10pm-1pm
Anzac Day parades and services will be hosted across Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland, while key landmarks such as the Sky Tower will be lit bright poppy-red. Pukekawa Auckland Domain will play home to the Field of Remembrance, with 170 crosses erected as a tribute to those who have fallen in New Zealand’s wars. Visit OurAuckland for more information on how Auckland Council will be commemorating Anzac Day this year.
Recommended reading
Anzac Day is an opportune time to reflect on, not just Gallipoli, but on all facets of war and peace. This selection of adult titles covers World War One, particularly the Kiwi experience.
It can be difficult to explain the significance of Anzac Day to young children – picture books can be a great introduction. The books in this list either tell stories of World War One or explain Anzac Day commemorations.
Young ANZAC heroes feature in these exciting stories for tweens. The simple but engaging storylines draw younger readers in, entertaining and educating them at the same time.
The titles in this list feature young Anzac heroes and expose the young readers to the harsh reality of life during wartime.
When kids and teens learn about Anzac Day, it’s important for them to know that we were not alone in the wars. These sophisticated picture books remind learners that the first ‘A’ in Anzac stands for Australia.
These fiction and non-fiction picture books are written for kids and teens. All are written by New Zealanders and focus on the Anzac story from a New Zealand perspective.
This thrilling collection of recent novels brings to life the turbulent experiences of the wartime generations.
Recommended podcasts
We often associate war with men, but women played a critical role in both the world wars, particularly as nurses. In this podcast, family historian Iris Taylor talks us through the history of nursing in New Zealand, covering infamous incidents such as the deaths of our nurses in the torpedoing of the Marquette.
A series of presentations by New Zealand’s most prominent historians, military and family experts. Hosted by Auckland Libraries in association with Ancestry and AncestryProGenealogists, these talks will be delivered in the week leading up to Anzac commemorations 20-24 April 2020.
For those who survived the First World War, the path to reintegration into society was difficult and lonely. There was little recognition and support from both society and the government of the ongoing effects these men suffered. In this talk, Dr Stephen Clarke explores the ‘Great Silence’ in the discussion surrounding New Zealand’s response to its returned servicemen.
To mark one hundred years since the devastating Influenza Pandemic of 1918, we held a series of talks hosted by oral historian Sue Berman. Join us for a vivid collection of first-hand accounts demonstrating the impact of the influenza on local communities.
Long before they earned glory and fame for their fighting ability on the battlefields of Europe and North Africa, these legendary warriors trained in a “semi-rural backwater in Auckland called Avondale”. In this podcast, Lisa Truttman shares stories from the earliest days of the mighty Maori Battalion.
Online research resources
Perfect for school students, Many Answers has curated resources on Anzac Day, ANZAC history, symbols, poetry and experiences, including primary and secondary sources. Browse Many Answers for topic summaries and links to helpful resources.
The Onward Project aims to locate and publish a photograph of every member of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force who served overseas during WWI. All five volumes can be found here.
The First World War saw Māori soldiers serve for the first time in a major conflict with the New Zealand Army. Explore their many fascinating stories in this booklist.
The Ranfurly Veteran’s Home opened in 1903 as a memorial to the Boer War, a tribute to the British Empire and a monument to the Empire’s subjects in New Zealand. Historian Claire Hall interviewed several WWII veterans living at the home in the mid-2000s to record their stories before they were lost forever.
The Ministry for Culture and Heritage recorded the stories of New Zealand’s Vietnam War veterans at the behest of a joint working group of veterans and government representatives. This collection contains three key recordings of interviews with veterans Bruce Goodall, Rodney Simpson and Frank Wydur.
Browse through 180 photographs documenting more than 100 years of Anzac Day commemorations from across Auckland.
A harsh coastline littered with scenes of death and destruction. These stunning images, taken by Sapper Ebenezer Johnson of Mt Eden, show the stark reality of life on the front line at Gallipoli.
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