It was in 2015 that we launched the Art of Remembrance, when the brass artworks of Max Gimblett ONZM shimmered across St David’s facades for three months into winter, then took flight to homes across New Zealand and the world.
On Monday 4 December, a new artwork of remembrance will be revealed… in an evening of art, and the music of new generation of rising stars. Save the date! And spread the word. It will be a night to remember.
It will also be an opportunity for you, our Benefactors, Partners, Friends, and supporters, to experience the transformed building, after a year of restoration work that has been enabled by your generosity. We look forward to welcoming you back to the place you have saved.
TRANSFORMATION OF THE GREAT HALL
Months of work designing, developing, restoring and transforming the Great Hall came to a crescendo for Lighting the Lamp of Remembrance event.
Red carpet laid, Sappers’ Chapel restored, stage expanded for music, tukutuku panels created by Beronia Scott and her fellow weavers from Te Puawai, Ōrākei marae have now been installed amongst the oak panelling in the sanctuary (front of the Great Hall), to honour the heritage of the building, and create a memorable context for musicians on-stage.
The blessing of the tukutuku panels was led by Kaumatua Tautoko Witika and named Pou Tangata. There are many interpretations of the term pou tangata. The pū korero given at the blessing, speaks of an invitation to the stairway to and from heaven. The design is the poutama pattern, which reaches to the heavens. It is a thing of great beauty, and we invite you to view it from all angles, and to come on-stage to see it up-close. We thank the weavers for their incredible work.
We also give thanks to the Donald Percy Winstone Trust, a Founding Benefactor, for making possible this transformation of the Great Hall.
Benefactors, Partners and Friends: thank you!
Unveiling of Pou Tangata Image courtesy Jessica Chloe Photography
Artist Beronia Scott and Kaumatua Tautoko Witika Image courtesy Jessica Chloe Photography
Artist Beronia Scott and her weavers from Te Puawai based at Ōrākei marae Image courtesy Jessica Chloe Photography
Jeff Smith of Digital Animation capturing the artwork Image courtesy Jessica Chloe Photography
Image courtesy Jessica Chloe Photography
Image courtesy Jessica Chloe Photography
LIGHTING OF THE LAMP
An historic event occurred on Sunday 15 October. Brigadier Rose King, Deputy Chief of Army, on behalf of Chief of Defence Force Air Marshal Kevin Short, illuminated the Lamp of Remembrance for the very first time. The Lamp honours all current and retired members of the New Zealand Defence Force from the Navy, Air Force and Army. From now on it will be lit 365 days of the year, in perpetuity.
It also honours the collective pledge we have made through the Art of Remembrance project: that St David’s would continue as a living memorial. 2023 marks the 96th year of the Sappers’ Memorial Parade at St David’s.
We thank our distinguished guests, the musicians, and all those who were able to attend.
Thanks to Jessica Chloe Photography for these superb images which capture this historic memorial service.
Together, we will remember them.
Colonel Commandant Paul Curry, Corps of the Royal New Zealand Engineers
Chaplain Rich Lander, JP RNZN
Sapper (Retired) Peter Mellalieu, Sappers’ Association (NZ)
Kaumatua Tautoko Witika and Peter Foster, RNZE (Retired), Emeritus President, Sappers' Association NZ
The paraffin lamp is presented to Brigadier King by the Sapper Biddle, 3 Troop 2 Field, RNZE
The Lamp of Remembrance is lit. The wreathe to the left represents the RNZE; the wreathe to the right represents all other soldiers, sailors and aviators of the NZDF past and present - thanks to Philippa Walker, patron and volunteer, for creating this beautiful wreathe.
ARMISTICE DAY THIS SATURDAY
This Saturday 11 November is Armistice Day, which marks the end of World War I. We had planned to launch the new artwork of remembrance – but this is now on Monday 4 December at 7.30pm.
Instead, we will be gardening! If you have an hour or two spare to pull some weeds or trim the plants, please join us. Message contact@KahuiStDavids.nz or just come.
Gardening @ Kāhui St David’s for Armistice Day
Saturday 11 November
1pm – 3pm
All welcome, afternoon tea to follow
THANKS TO OUR VOLUNTEERS
Graham Yan
We have many incredible volunteers to thank, and today we would like to acknowledge Graham Yan, who came in like a guardian angel, for days on end and late into the night, including to restore the North Chapel entry lobby, and preparing the walls and windows of the Great Hall to enable the scaffolds to come down. Graham, your work ethic and generosity are inspiring!
JOIN KĀHUI ST DAVID'S ON SOCIAL MEDIA
While the building will always be St David’s Memorial Church, its historic doors are now open to Kāhui St David’s, centre for music and community.
“Kāhui” means “the gathering”, and honours the Scottish heritage of the place, and its role as a place of connection for all.
Please join Kāhui St David’s on social media, and keep an eye out for future invitations that relate to its musical activities. Friends of St David’s Trust Kāhui Rangi Pūpū (“gathering place of the heavenly trumpets”) also continues, with a focus on the heritage and conservation of the Soldiers’ Memorial Church.
