Eight street signs across the Manurewa Local Board area have had a poppy added to them to honour the 100th anniversary of Armistice Day on 11 November.
The initiative is the result of the board’s desire to support the Places of Remembrance Project managed by the New Zealand Poppy Trust, with Manurewa thought to be the first suburb in Auckland to have the new-look signs.
“We are pretty proud of being the first,” says local board member Stella Cattle.
“This is an easy but significant way we can mark not just this day but all those who sacrificed themselves and their families in many battles before and since.”
The local board funded the project out of its transport capital fund and acknowledges the support of Auckland Transport to make it happen.
“Introducing any kind of logo was really against the rules of the Regional Signage Policy but they worked with us to find a solution, so we really appreciated that.”
The local board also acknowledges Peter Dilley, who initially suggested the project to the board.
“I know he is pretty chuffed by the whole thing so it’s great to be able to do that.”
The following locations were selected because they related to people, places or events from New Zealand’s military history overseas.
Beatty Avenue | In honour of Admiral Beatty, Admiral of the Fleet, World War One. |
Churchill Avenue | In honour of Sir Winston Churchill UK, wartime Prime Minister of Great Britain. |
Halsey Road | Admiral William Halsey was an American in World War One and is often referred to as a “saviour of the south”. |
Jellicoe Road | Named in honour of Admiral Lord Jellicoe - World War One. |
Jutland Road | The battle of Jutland was a major naval battle of World War One, the ship HMS New Zealand was part of the British fleet. |
Pedestal Lane | Named in honour of Operation Pedestal, a British operation to carry supplies to the island of Malta in August 1942, during World War Two. |
Maich Road | Named in honour of Major Maich - World War Two. The road was included in the project because of the work he did in Manurewa as a principal and significant role in the local RSA and local Anzac services. |
Sturdee Road | Named after Doveton Sturdee, a British World War One naval hero. |
The project is just one of several the local board has funded or supported as part of World War One centenary commemorations in recent years. Other projects include:
- A memorial seat at Pedestal Lane
- Lunches and events
- Essay competitions and tree plantings
- The launch of the commemorative book “Manurewa’s Soldiers”.