NZDF opens new city base with parade

After more than a century of continuous service to Dunedin and the wider region, the New Zealand Defence Force’s Kensington Army Hall closed its doors for the final time on Saturday, making way for a new home for southern military units.

Soldiers from 2nd/4th Battalion, Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment, along with reserve medics, logisticians, cadet forces and veterans, marched out of the hall one last time as a poignant farewell to a building that has seen generations of service members pass through its doors.

Then on Sunday, a rare Charter and Remembrance Parade was held, led by soldiers from the 2nd/4th Battalion and HMNZS Toroa personnel, who were joined by NZDF personnel from the Navy and Air force, as well as local cadet units, veterans and ex-service personnel.

The parade departed HMNZS Toroa and marched towards Anzac Square in front of Dunedin Railway Station, where parade marshal 2nd/4th Battalion commanding officer Lieutenant-colonel Gareth Seeds was offered an official challenge by the New Zealand Police.

The parade then marched to the cenotaph at Queens Gardens for a Remembrance Sunday Service, where Dunedin Mayor Sophie Barker read the charters of HMNZS Toroa and the 2nd/4th Battalion.

The parade then continued to the new Dunedin Defence Force facility in Cumberland St for its official opening.

For the past two and a-half years, Lt-col Seeds has worked closely with Defence Estate and Infrastructure on the design and fit-out of the new facility,

"This is a much-needed and significant investment in our regional infrastructure. It is modern — a new space where we can meet, train, and assist the community when called upon,’’ he said.

The facility will be home to HMNZS Toroa, Otago & Southland Company, the detachments from 3rd Combat Service Support and Health Support Battalions, Defence Recruiting and the Sea, Army and Air Cadet units.

Defence Estate and Infrastructure head Mark Brunton said the new facility presented an opportunity to bring together the local units, that were previously separated, all in the same location.

"It will reduce operational costs and make processes more efficient with the shared use of services and spaces."

The modern facility, fitted out by local contractors under the umbrella of Hawkins NZ construction company at a cost of about $9 million, would provide the quality environment personnel and cadets deserved, he said.

It is expected the new Defence Force facility will receive sign-off and be ready for occupation by the end of January.

brenda.harwood@thestar.co.nz