Sign In / Register
The pre-dawn quiet was broken by the sound of a bugle playing The Last Post, as residents stood outside their homes, some at attention, to mark the start of a unique Anzac Day.
With all commemorative services cancelled due to the Covid-19 lockdown, the NZ Defence Force asked people to stand at their gate, or in their homes, at 6am, so that the day could be marked without anyone breaking their ‘bubble’.
Among the Hibiscus Coast residents who joined that call was Bart Couprie of Stanmore Bay – a Chief Petty Officer with the Royal NZ Navy.
Bart has served with the Navy for 34 years to date, and is currently with HMNZS Canterbury.
He stood in full uniform as a recording of the Last Post and Ode were played, along with a broadcast of the official dawn service. Several of his neighbours were also at their gates at dawn.
In his speech at the service, Defence Force and Veterans Minister Ron Mark noted that these are challenging times, and that New Zealanders are responding with courage, as they did in times of war.
