Every year we promise to Remember Them. The question is, how?
St David’s Memorial Church in central Auckland is a living memorial for all. The building inspired an outpouring of support for its preservation from 2014 - 2021. It is now serves as a centre for music, community and remembrance.
Thanks to the support of 1000s of people across New Zealand and overseas, St David’s was purchased by Friends of St David’s Trust Kāhui Rangi Pūpū in 2021 to protect this place of remembrance in perpetuity.
The trust’s Te Reo Māori name means “gathering place of the Heavenly Trumpets” - and refers to its role both as a memorial for current and retired members of the Army, Navy and Airforce, and as a centre for music for all. The Trust is a registered charity.
Anzac at Kāhui St David’s - Centre for Music
Please join us for ANZAC Eve (the night before Anzac Day), to Remember Them. An evening of inspiring music, moving image and warm hospitality in the company of very special guests.
Experience the magnificent acoustics of your newest centre for music - Kāhui St David's, with performances by musicians Horomona Horo (taonga pūoro), David Harvey (bagpipes), Ed Waaka (piano and vocal), Helen Lukman-Fox (pipe organ) and The Off Broadway Band.
Wednesday 24 April
6pm - 7.30pm with hospitality for all to follow
Kāhui St David's, 70 Khyber Pass Road
Grafton, Auckland
If you are a veteran, or a current member of the NZDF, please let us know. Also, if you have any special access needs, we are here to help. Please email contact@KahuiStDavids.nz
Open Day
Can't come for ANZAC Eve? Join us on ANZAC Day to see through the building, and view the Sara Hughes artworks in the North Chapel.
Thursday 25 April
11am - 2.00pm
Kāhui St David’s
If you would like to be involved hands-on to prepare the place to honour our soldiers, aviators and sailors for ANZAC Eve (tidying, cleaning, setting up, trimming hedges, installing the flagpole, polishing brass plaques!), or on the night, we would love to hear from you.
Art of Remembrance 2023
Colour Quartet
A remarkable series of specially commissioned works by artist Sara Hughes titled Colour Quartet are now available to purchase. The proceeds will support the building’s illumination and development into a new cultural destination and centre for music for all.
The silkscreen-on-brass artworks are inspired by nature, music the theme of hope for the future. Available to buy individually, in pairs, as a triptych (3), quartet (4) or installation.
Artwork viewing
By appointment, contact Paul Baragwanath 021 521 574
Lighting of the Lamp of Remembrance
An historic event occured on Sunday 15 October. Brigadier Rose King, Deputy Chief of Army, on behalf of Chief of Defence Force Air Marshal Kevin Short, illuminated the Lamp of Remembrance for the very first time. The Lamp honours all current and retired members of the New Zealand Defence Force from the Navy, Air Force and Army. From now on it will be lit 365 days of the year in perpetuity.
It also honours the collective pledge we have made through the Art of Remembrance project: that St David’s would continue as a living memorial. 2023 marks the 96th year of the Sappers’ Memorial Parade at St David’s.
We thank our distinguished guests, the musicians, and all those who were able to attend.
Thanks to Jessica Chloe Photography for the superb images which captured the historic service.
The Sappers
The motto of the Royal New Zealand Engineers (RNZE), also known as Sappers, is UBIQUE, which means “everywhere”. On the battle front, they are first in, and last out. They perform a variety of military engineering duties, such as breaching fortifications, demolitions, bridge-building, laying or clearing minefields, and road, tunnel and airfield construction and repair.
The first unit of New Zealand Engineers to be raised was the Canterbury Volunteer Engineer Company, formed in 1865. Permanent New Zealand Defence Force Engineers evolved from the Torpedo and Engineer Corps. On 15th October 1902, No 2 Service Company, New Zealand Permanent Militia was granted the dignity and name of Royal New Zealand Engineers, which with Royal Assent, was changed to the Corps of Royal NZ Engineers, RNZE on 3 September 1903.
“It’s about letting veterans from all wars and peace-keeping missions know that we value them, day in and day out, and that this sanctuary in central Auckland is here for them”
— Paul Baragwanath, Director, Friends of St David’s Trust Kāhui Rangi Pūpū
St David’s Memorial Church Building
St David’s foundation stone was laid on ANZAC Day 1927 and dedicated as the Soldiers’ Memorial Church. It has been home to the Royal New Zealand Engineers (Sappers) ever since. Once the “cathedral of the Presbyterian Church”, St David’s is now owned by Friends of St David’s Trust Kāhui Rangi Pūpū (charitable) – its name translates as “gathering place of the heavenly trumpets”.
The building’s purchase has been made possible thanks to the support of New Zealanders nationwide, to ensure that St David’s would continue as a living memorial to soldiers and servicemen and women of all services. The building is now home to Kāhui St David’s, a centre for music, community and remembrance.
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