The event, titled “The Art of Remembrance”, will be held at Kāhui St David’s in Grafton, Auckland, on Thursday, April 24, at 6pm.
It will honour the Royal New Zealand Nursing Corps for their role in war, conflict, and peacekeeping – while also recognising the ongoing contribution of nurses across Aotearoa, from hospitals to communities.
A permanent bronze plaque will be unveiled in the Great Hall of Kāhui St David’s – Auckland’s centre for remembrance and music, located in Grafton near the medical and nursing schools.
The evening includes performances from soprano Felicity Tomkins and reflections from senior nurse Georgina Greville, of Middlemore Hospital, in a tribute to the often-unsung service of nurses past and present.
Greville, whose immediate family included five World War I service members, says: “There were two nurses, two doctors, and one soldier with the Auckland Mounted Rifles. My grandmother and sister were both nurses, serving in Egypt, Lemnos, and on the Western Front, including at the Battle of the Somme.
“The role of nurses in conflict and peacekeeping has historically been overlooked. Having this permanent display at Kāhui St David’s will be deeply meaningful to all nurses – recognising our contribution in both military and civilian contexts.”
The evening features:
- A musical programme led by soprano Felicity Tomkins, Michelle Thorne-McHugh and the Off Broadway Big Band
- Reflections from Georgina Greville, senior nurse at Middlemore Hospital
- Taonga pūoro, ceremonial tributes, and a veterans’ procession.
Event details: Art of Remembrance 2025
Date: Thursday, 24 April, 6-8pm
Location: Kāhui St David’s, 70 Khyber Pass Rd, Grafton, Auckland
Tickets: Free entry – tickets via Eventfinda or at the door
Lindsay Stanley
Promoter