Anzac services to go ahead with security increased

The former Oamaru chief post office, now the Waitaki District Council headquarters (rear), and...
The World War 1 monument in Thames St, Oamaru. Photo by David Bruce.
Anzac Day services in North and East Otago are set to go ahead as planned, the Waitaki District Council confirmed on Friday.

The decision to proceed with services around the district was made after the council held discussions with police on the issue, as feelings of concern for safety in the aftermath of the mosque shootings in Christchurch last month continued to linger.

Waitaki Mayor Gary Kircher said people who attended the dawn service at the World War 1 memorial in lower Thames St and the 10.30am march from the memorial to the Returned and Services Association Garden of Memories at the intersection of State Highway 1 and Itchen St, as well other services in Waitaki, could expect to see a heightened level of security.

"On the day some of them will be obvious and others won't be.

"The key thing has been about keeping people safe. We're in this period of heightened national risk and we're responding to that and taking appropriate measures."

He did not elaborate on what those measures were.

Mr Kircher was involved in discussions with police and was pleased with the outcome.

"The police were very good. They were approaching it with the attitude of how do we avoid cancelling it which I think is the right attitude.

"It was a chance then to look at what the various risks were and how they are dealt with and between us, cover those risks.

"We're certainly confident we are taking things seriously, but also it's about life being able to carry on as normally as possible."

Anzac services will also take place at Hakataramea (6.20am), Alma (7.15am), Kurow (8.15am), Pukeuri (8.30am), Palmerston (8.45am), Papakaio (9am), Enfield (9am), Maheno (9am), Duntroon (9.15am), Georgetown (10am), Hampden (10.30am), Livingstone (10.30am), Omarama (11am) and Dunback (11am).

The council has organised some services in the district since 2014 when the North Otago RSA folded.

The Upper Waitaki RSA and Palmerston-Waihemo RSA organise several services outside Oamaru.

Comments

This Anzac day I will drive up to Palmerston as they have one of the best war speakers around. Don't know how they scored him.