Fifth Announcement

This private event is for veterans, service members, friends, family, descendants and supporters.

Join members of the Defence Force led by the New Zealand Sapper’s Association for this ceremonial event. Enjoy the music. Witness the Lamp of Remembrance in the recently restored Sappers’ Memorial Chapel. Welcome to this multi-faith service of remembrance. Join us to support the New Zealand Defence Forces serving Aotearoa at home and overseas, and meet the Royal New Zealand Engineers both service and veteran.

'I thoroughly enjoyed our last Sappers Day and thank you for the hard work that went into its successful delivery' – Paul Curry, Colonel Commandant, Royal New Zealand Engineers.

The Sappers Association (NZ) delivers the event in partnership with Kāhui St David’s, the Royal New Zealand Engineers, NZ Defence Force, and the Auckland Officers Club.

Bookings Essential

For safety management and planning purposes, please register your intention to attend. Get Tickets

The Lamp of Remembrance

The ceremony celebrates the current, historical and future contributions of the New Zealand Defence and Civilian Forces to peacekeeping, defence, emergency response, technological innovation and the development of Aotearoa New Zealand. Since 2023, the Lamp of Remembrance has been illuminated daily to remember and honour all New Zealand service personnel.

The event marks the 98th year of the Royal New Zealand Engineers' ceremony at Kāhui St David’s Memorial Church. The event includes an all-faith remembrance service, a keynote address by an officer of the Defence Forces, and a recommitment to the Lamp of Remembrance. Music, both solemn and lively, will underpin this all-ages remembrance event.  

Located within the Great Hall of St David’s in the newly restored Sappers’ Chapel, the Lamp lets all returned service men and women know that we remember them. This sanctuary in central Auckland is here for them, for peace, music, and company.

Please join active, ex-service, and civilian service members to witness and celebrate this exceptional occasion together, remembering those who served.

Sappers Everywhere! The Royal New Zealand Engineers

Ubique! E nga wahi katoa! Everywhere!

The all-services military ceremony is led by the Royal New Zealand Engineers (RNZE) in recognition of their annual celebration of Sappers Day, the date upon which their Royal Corp was established in 1902. Recognising their frequent role as the advanced field force in a combat or natural disaster zone, the combat engineer’s roles are comprehensive, flexible, resilient and creative.

A Gift from the Past to the Future: Kāhui St David’s

‘We Will Remember Them’

St David’s foundation stone was laid on ANZAC Day 1927. The building is a memorial of national significance. Funded on the understanding that it would be a war memorial for all time, St David’s would ‘keep green the faith and courage and sacrifice’ of those who gave their lives in World War I. The Sappers’ Memorial Chapel was later incorporated into St David’s. As a church, its ministers traditionally served in the army, such as Reverend Lt Colonel Angus Fionn MacDonald, OBE (1871—1934).

Many artefacts commemorate the early office bearers of the 29th and 30th New Zealand Infantry Battalions, the 28th Māori Battalion, the Royal New Zealand Engineers, and members of the congregation who lost their lives in both World Wars. 

Sapper Cyril Royston Guyton Bassett, VC, JP (1892—1983) was the first and only New Zealander to be awarded the Victoria Cross in the Gallipoli Campaign of the First World War. Sapper Bassett, later Lieutenant Colonel and Commander of Signals, was married at St David's.

In 2014, an initiative to rescue the building from demolition led to the re-creation of Kāhui St David’s, a centre for music and community, a place of connection, opportunity and inspiration for the diverse people of Aotearoa New Zealand.

Bookings, Further Information and Related Events

This private event is for veterans, service members, friends, family, descendants and supporters.

Bookings essential. For safety management and planning purposes, please register your intention to attend. Get Tickets

Related event photos and programme

This year's event is less elaborate than the 2023 event. We anticipate 40 to 60 attendees. 

Event Director Peter Mellalieu, Chair Northern | Sappers Association (New Zealand) Inc | +6421420118 |  chr.nth.sprnz@mail.tidyhq.com

Further information, visit the Event Link

Associated with this event Perimeter Tour of City Rail Link Construction Site

Alternative booking site at Eventfinda TBA

Share the event. Download poster. Website https://sprnz.tidyhq.com/ Event link http://thq.fyi/se/faa761e7a2ff

We Want You! Request for Event Sponsors and Partners

The annual event demands substantial resources for its execution: Planning. Performance Talent. Event Promotion. Refreshments. Media Record. Please, we need contributions in cash or kind to maintain and develop this event in the future.

Please consider who amongst your contacts and networks could offer assistance. Please advise and discuss with the event co-directors Peter Mellalieu (Sappers Association) or Paul Baragwanath (Kāhui David's). We will undertake a formal request for support through the channel you suggest.

Review photos of the previous event here, the previous programme, and media advisory.

Poster this event. Download poster. Event link http://thq.fyi/se/faa761e7a2ff