North Shore City’s annual Heritage Festival took place 2 - 12 October 2009. View the Festival Event and Activity Programme (PDF 2.45MB) for details of what went on.
There were more than 30 vibrant and exciting events that took place, remembering North Shore City’s rich heritage. From fashion, marriage, literature and antiques, to beach life, sport and architecture, there was something for people of all ages to enjoy.
This was the second year the festival had been co-ordinated by North Shore City Council, with community groups submitting their events to the programme online. You can access the full event and activity programme in the related documents panel on the right.
Here are just some of the events that took place:
Field of Remembrance Ceremony
A group of approximately 100 people from the community of Devonport attended a Field of Remembrance Ceremony at Fort Takapuna on Wednesday 30 September 2009. The ceremony was in order to bless the ground where 5,000 white crosses have been erected, as a memorial for the New Zealanders who died in Belgium during WWI.
Local Kaumatua, Heta Tobin, of Ngati Whatua iwi blessed the ground, and moving words were shared by Lieut. Col. Chris Mullane and Deputy Mayor of North Shore City, Julia Parfitt. The crosses will be on display outside Fort Takapuna for the duration of the exhibition (4 October - 15 November).
Bridal Fashion Through The Years
A wonderful fashion show and exhibition, featuring bridal gowns from different decades and other wedding memorabilia, took place at Age Concern on 2 - 4 October 2009. The proceeds went to Age Concern North Shore. Images by Dual Focus Photography.
Exhibition Opening Ceremony
Members of the public and dignitaries attended an official opening ceremony outside Fort Takapuna at 11am on Sunday 4 October. His Worship the Mayor of North Shore City, Andrew Williams, announced the exhibition officially open. Among the dignitaries in attendance were First Alderman of Zonnebeke Council, Franky Byron; Minister of Defence, Hon Dr Wayne Mapp; Lieutenant Colonel Chris Powell and Honorary Consul of Belgium, Laetitia Petersen. Master of Ceremonies was Lieutenant Colonel Chris Mullane.
Passchendaele Grand Massed Bands Concert
To mark the opening of The North Shore Heritage Festival, North Shore City in conjunction with The International Military Music Society New Zealand Branch staged a magnificent massed bands commemorative concert. It featured bands from RNZ Navy, RNZ Artillery, and Auckland and District Pipe Band (the reigning New Zealand Champions), together with guest international vocalist Celine Toner.
Albany Village Heritage Walk
A lovely walk took place in Albany Village on Wednesday 7 October, starting at the library and visiting places of historic significance or interest, such as the waterfall, domain, Coronation Hall and the cemetery. An historical description of each of the places was shared and those who attended had a wonderful time and learnt a thing or two along the way.
Browns Bay Heritage Walk
There was a great turnout for the Browns Bay Heritage Walk on Thursday 8 October, which followed the Browns Bay Heritage Trail around the main town and beach area, stopping at 20 historic places to learn about their history.
Stafford Villa Afternoon Tea
On 9 and 11 October, Stafford Villa, one of the original Victorian Villas located in Birkenhead Point, hosted traditional Victorian afternoon teas for heritage-lovers. Guests experienced a time gone by, with crisp white linen, fine china, antique silver, special teas and freshly roasted coffee, with sugar cubes, milk or lemon, dainty sandwiches, sweet treats and gourmet savouries.
Passchendaele March Past and Review
A powerful street parade took place on Saturday 10 October, to remember the New Zealand soldiers who fought bravely in the battles of the Western Front during World War One. It was lead by the New Zealand Army, with contingents from the Navy and Air Force also involved, plus Tri-Service Cadets, RSA and members of the public. Music was performed by the Band of the Royal Regiment of New Zealand Artillery and Auckland and District Pipe Band.
The parade made its way up Lake Road, from Sanders Avenue in Takapuna, to North Shore City Council on The Strand, where the military review was inspected by His Worship the Mayor Andrew Williams. Moving words, about the significance of the Battle of Passchendaele in New Zealand history, were shared by the Mayor, Prime Minister - Rt Hon John Key MP and the Ambassador of Belgium - His Excellency Patrick Renault. To conclude the ceremony, wreaths were laid by dignitaries, RSA and members of the public on the war memorial.
Cat Gut Scream and Scones with Cream
On Sunday 11 October, Birkenhead Tennis Club held an event to celebrate 100 years of history with an old-fashioned tennis tournament, complete with wooden racquets and old-fashioned dress, delicious home baked cakes and tea in fine china cups. The best vantage point on the day was the adjacent water reservoir, on which the club used to have tennis courts in the 1980’s and had, for this one special day, once again gained access with permission of Watercare.
Passchendaele Commemoration Ceremony
It was the worst military disaster in New Zealand’s history. Within a single day’s battle on 12 October 1917, more than 2700 New Zealanders died, were wounded or declared missing. The number of Kiwi deaths that morning – more than 850 – was greater than the combined toll of the eruption of Mt Tarawera, Hawkes Bay earthquake, Tangiwai rail disaster, sinking of the Wahine and Erebus plane crash.
Ninety-two years later, on Monday 12 October 2009, North Shore City hosted a commemorative ceremony to remember those lost in the Battle of Passchendaele and the rest of the Western Front. The ceremony was held at sunset at Fort Takapuna in Devonport.
Highlights included performances by the Band of the Royal Regiment of New Zealand Artillery and the Takapuna Grammar School Girls' Choir, and a display of the Regimental Colour of the 3rd Auckland (Countess of Ranfurly’s Own) and Northland Battalion Group. Following this, wreaths were be laid by Mayor of North Shore City, Andrew Williams, His Excellency Patrick Renault, Ambassador of Belgium, invited guests and members of the public.
The commemoration ceremony was held at sunset to reflect the ‘Last Post’ ceremony which takes place every night by the Menin Gate in Ypres, Belgium. The ‘Last Post’ ceremony has been performed daily by Belgian buglers since the First World War to express the gratitude of the Belgian people towards those who died for their freedom and independence.
David Verran, writer in residence
David Verran, local historian and librarian, has been visiting a number of North Shore Libraries, as writer in residence, throughout the Heritage Festival. David has been commissioned to write a history of the North Shore and he has been having wonderful chats with library visitors about his work and North Shore City’s rich heritage.
