26 May 2016

Millions to help mark war commemorations

4:32 pm on 26 May 2016

New Zealand war commemorations held around the country will now get financial help.

Last Post ceremony at the National War Memorial in Wellington.

Photo: RNZ / Alexander Robertson

Over the next four years, $1 million per year will help support marking commemorative events.

The funding may also support education-related activities for schools, kura and communities about the New Zealand Wars.

"I've attended many commemorative war events in recent years and I have been overwhelmed by the impact these events have on individuals and communities. It's a sign of our maturity as a nation that we know our history, good and bad," said Māori Party Co-leader Te Ururoa Flavell.

Māori Party co-leader Marama Fox said the party had taken the lead from hapū, iwi and local communities who had organised their own commemorative events to recall these battles.

"These battles shaped our country and its people," said Mrs Fox.

"We lost more than 2750 lives during the Land Wars. It's time that we all recognise the importance of honouring those who perished on home soil just as we honour those who died overseas."

Get the RNZ app

for ad-free news and current affairs