While economists and politicians have celebrated the opening of the trans-Tasman bubble and its promised relief for struggling businesses, it’s also a reminder of something we’ve missed for more than a year now due to the pandemic: the ability to gather and collectively remember the past.
In recent weeks, Muslim New Zealanders have come together to mourn the victims of the March 15 shootings, iwi and hapū have held commemorative services at various New Zealand Wars battle sites, and churches were able to observe Easter.
This Sunday also marks the full return of the country’s most prominent day of remembrance. After widespread cancellations in 2019 due to the Christchurch terror attacks, and in 2020 because of the COVID-19 lockdown, many of this year’s Anzac ceremonies will be the first in over two years.
The Conversation: Solidarity and difference how Anzac Day reflects an ever-changing New Zealand
23 Apr, 2021 07:48 AM
6 minutes to read
The Anzac Day dawn service held at the Auckland War Memorial Museum in 2019. Photo / Dean Purcell
The Anzac Day dawn service held at the Auckland War Memorial Museum in 2019. Photo / Dean Purcell
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OPINION:
While economists and politicians have celebrated the opening of the transtasman bubble and its promised relief for struggling businesses, it s also a reminder of something we ve missed for more than a year now due to the pandemic: The ability to gather and collectively remember the past.
In recent weeks, Muslim New Zealanders have come together to mourn the victims of the March 15 shootings, iwi and hapū have held commemorative services at various New Zealand Wars battle sites, and churches were able to observe Easter.