From Nuku'alofa to Wellington, Pacific service at the heart of ANZAC remembrance

For a young Royal New Zealand Navy sailor, ANZAC Day is not just about remembrance, it is also about returning home.

Sione Fusi Kanatea ‘Ofa is travelling to Nuku’alofa for ANZAC Day commemorations, where he will stand as both a serviceman and a son of Tonga.

“Not only to represent our people, but to show that even though we're in the New Zealand Navy, we're still proud Tongan,” he tells John Pulu on PMN Tonga.

“ANZAC Day is a day of remembering, honouring those who sacrificed their lives. For me, it's the freedom and peace that we have right now.”

His journey reflects a wider Pacific story - one that stretches across generations and shared service in times of war and peace.

Across Aotearoa, Pacific contributions to ANZAC are being seen more clearly in public remembrance.

Watch Sione Kanatea 'Ofa's full interview below.

At the Returned Services Association (RSA) Field of Remembrance in Tāmaki Makaurau, crosses stand for soldiers from the Cook Islands, Fiji, Niue, Sāmoa, and Tonga.

A social media post from the RSA also acknowledges Cook Islands and Niue soldiers who joined what became known as the New Zealand Pioneer Māori Battalion in 1916.

“More than 1000 soldiers from the Pacific Islands served in Europe and the Middle East during World War One and more than 100 died,” the RSA post read.

The No. 3 Auckland City Squadron ATC installed the Field of Remembrance at the Auckland Domain. Photo/Auckland RSA

At Pukeahu National War Memorial Park in Wellington, Pacific service is also built into the landscape of remembrance.

The conch shell memorial, Te Reo Hotunui o Te Moana-nui-a-Kiwa - The Deep Sigh of the Pacific, honours Pacific military service and draws on wartime traditions where conch shells marked identity and presence.

Recognition of Pacific service has also been strengthened through changes to the ANZAC Day Amendment Act, which broaden the definition of service beyond combat roles.

Laulu Mac Leauanae, chief executive of the Ministry for Culture and Heritage, says the change is about fairness.

“The law change is really about fairness. It's recognising all kinds of service, not just those that were in combat.”

He tells William Terite on Pacific Mornings that recognition is especially important for Pacific communities whose roles were often left out of official history.

Laulu Mac Leauanae. Photo/Mark Tantrum Photography

“It recognises the services of like the Pacific Home Guard units, the Pacific Island Coast Watches during the Second World War and their contributions were real and significant.”

Alongside this recognition, Laulu says work continues to support Pacific identity and storytelling, though delivery is shifting under financial pressure.

“Pacific initiatives are critical… it's not so much that do we still do initiatives, it's the how we do it. We have to pivot and shift given the fiscal environment.”

Laulu says further detail on funding will be confirmed in “due course”, with the focus remaining on keeping Pacific voices and histories visible.

As ANZAC Day approaches, commemorations will be held across Aotearoa and the Pacific, bringing together communities in shared remembrance.

Te Reo Hotunui o Te Moana-nui-a-Kiwa - The Deep Sigh of the Pacific sculpture at the National War Memorial Park in Wellington. Photo/NZ History

ANZAC Services in New Zealand

• Niue Heroes ANZAC Day Memorial - 10am, New Lynn Community Hall

• ANZAC Day Dawn Service - 5.30am, Auckland Domain Cenotaph

• Cook Islands ANZAC Day Commemoration - 2pm, 285–289 Kirkbride Road, Māngere

• East Tāmaki ANZAC Service - 7.30am, East Tāmaki Domain, led by the Tongan Brass Band

• ANZAC Day National Commemoration - 11am at Pukeahu National War Memorial Park, Wellington

Watch Laulu Mac Meauanae's full interview below.