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Air New Zealand has marked Anzac Day with a special dawn flight across the Tasman.
In partnership with Tāmaki Paenga Hira Auckland War Memorial Museum, flight NZ101 from Auckland to Sydney at 7am on Saturday honoured a serviceperson on every seat, with the Last Post being played at the boarding gate prior to departure.
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“Today’s flight is very special. These are important stories we’re carrying that have helped shape our country and our history,” said Air New Zealand’s chief sustainability and corporate affairs officer, Kiri Hannifin.
“Anzac Day is one of Aotearoa’s most unifying national moments. Many of us have relatives who have served, and to partner with the Auckland War Memorial Museum to bring these stories to the skies on a day of national remembrance was very special.
“We hope that through this flight, veterans and their families feel their histories are valued, and that passengers take a moment to reflect on the individual stories shared on board.”
Each seat was laid out with a commemorative edition of Kia Ora magazine featuring stories of Australian and New Zealand personnel who served, past and present.
“The stories are drawn from the Museum’s Online Cenotaph, which records New Zealand military service over the past 127 years, across a range of conflicts and peacekeeping operations,” said Air New Zealand in a press release.
“The stories include personnel from the New Zealand Army, Navy, Air Force and Merchant Navy, as well as New Zealanders who served with Australian Forces and other allied nations.”
According to Auckland War Memorial Museum Tumu Whakarae chief executive, David Reeves, the flight added to “an important day for New Zealanders”.
“Through Online Cenotaph, we have worked over many years to broaden how Anzac Day is understood, by sharing records and stories from more than 40 conflicts in which New Zealanders have served,” he said.
“Seeing these stories acknowledged by Air New Zealand today brings that work to a wider audience. Once the journey is complete, the profiles shared on this flight will be added to Online Cenotaph, becoming part of the ongoing record accessible to researchers, whānau, and the public.”
Copies of the magazine will be stored in the museum’s archive, and Air New Zealand has also made a charitable donation to the Royal New Zealand Returned and Services’ Association.
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