The annual Art of Remembrance will return to Auckland on Friday, 24 April, for an evening of music, storytelling, and ceremony honouring all members and veterans of the New Zealand Defence Force. Now in its eleventh year, the event will be held at the historic Kāhui St David’s on Khyber Pass Road, a venue deeply rooted in the nation’s military history.
Held on the eve of Anzac Day, the community gathering offers a space for remembrance and reflection, bringing together veterans, their whānau, and the wider public. The event pays tribute to service and sacrifice through a rich programme of performances and ceremonial traditions.
The choice of Kāhui St David’s as the venue is profoundly significant. Originally known as The Soldiers’ Memorial Church, its foundation stone was laid on Anzac Day in 1927 as a memorial to those who served in the First World War. The Great Hall houses the Lamp of Remembrance, which burns to honour all veterans. The church also holds plaques dedicated to the Royal New Zealand Engineers, the Royal New Zealand Nursing Corps, the 28th Māori Battalion, and the 29th and 30th Infantry Battalions of the Second World War.
This year’s event will place a special focus on the contributions of the Royal New Zealand Engineers (RNZE), past and present, connecting the evening’s proceedings to one of the specific memorials within the hall’s walls. Digging into Auckland's wartime history can often open a window to the city's past and the stories of those who served.
A night of music and memory
The evening’s cornerstone is a musical and storytelling programme designed to bring personal histories of service to life. The ensemble Unsung Heroes will perform original songs and readings drawn from wartime letters and memoirs. The group features former foreign correspondent Cameron Bennett on guitar, Chris Priestley on guitar, Nigel Gavin on a 7-string guitar, and actor Peter Elliott ONZM on cajón and narration.
Bennett will present “Letter to Darkie,” a piece inspired by a letter sent to his grandfather from a comrade on the Western Front, capturing the profound sense of loss from the fields of Flanders and France. Elliott will introduce Chris Priestley’s “3 Telegrams (Dad’s Song)” with a reading from his own father’s memoirs, recounting the fierce battle at Takrouna Hill in Tunisia during the Second World War. a story of a lesser-known but deeply significant engagement for New Zealand forces.
The musical offerings are diverse, featuring pūoro (traditional Māori instruments) by Riki Bennett and the skirl of Scottish bagpipes from David Harvey. Soprano Michelle Thorne-McHugh will lead the singing of hymns, accompanied by the Off Broadway Big Band and organist Helen Lukman-Fox. The University of Auckland Student Choir, a 30-strong group conducted by Dr Jono Palmer, will perform two sacred songs, Te Aroha by Te Puoho Katene and Blessing by David Hamilton.
A special feature will be the sound of 'Vera,' the great 1904 pipe organ that has undergone a meticulous three-year restoration by volunteers. Helen Lukman-Fox will play the magnificent instrument, filling the Great Hall with its powerful sound. Attendees are invited to join in singing several pieces, including the National Anthem and the song of the 28th Māori Battalion.
Ceremony and community spirit
The formal proceedings will begin with a parade of veterans into the Great Hall. The evening will observe cherished traditions of remembrance, including the playing of the Last Post, a Minute of Silence, and The Rouse. A key moment will be the ceremonial relighting of the Lamp of Remembrance, a symbolic act that ensures the light of memory continues to burn for the year ahead. Members of the New Zealand Defence Force will also speak during the event, connecting past service with the present day.
The Art of Remembrance project has a history of fostering community spirit. The event itself evolved from a successful 2015 art installation that saved the church from closure. In that project, 7,000 brass quatrefoil artworks by Max Gimblett ONZM, each the size of a soldier’s hand, adorned the church's exterior for three months, raising $1 million to secure its future as a living memorial and community hub. This legacy of community and arts-based remembrance continues with the annual concert.
Following the formal programme, attendees are invited to stay for hospitality, which includes complimentary tea, coffee, milo, Anzac biscuits, and hot soup, with vegan options available. This provides a warm and informal setting for the community to connect with the veterans and personally thank them for their service.
Event details and attendance
The Art of Remembrance will take place on Friday, 24 April 2026, from 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm at Kāhui St David’s in Grafton, Auckland. The event operates on a 'pay-what-you-can' basis, ensuring it is accessible to all who wish to attend. Similar commemorative services, such as the Pacific Dance Festival in South Auckland, draw communities together across the globe to remember their shared history.
Veterans wishing to participate in the opening parade are asked to email contact@KahuiStDavids.nz to confirm their attendance and reserve seating for themselves and their guests. Those wishing to lay a wreath are also asked to provide advance notice to ensure space is allocated.
The event is made possible through the support of the Uptown Business Association, Waitematā Local Board, Sir Stephen & Lady Tindall, The Sir William and Lady Manchester Charitable Trust, Angus Muir Design, Jessica Chloe Photography, and the Awhero Nui Charitable Trust. Organisers have also paid tribute to the ongoing support from other patrons, friends and volunteers.
After the formal part of the evening concludes, the Off Broadway Big Band will continue to play period tunes from the First and Second World Wars, allowing the spirit of the era to linger as guests connect over supper.
