Anzac Day in Hurunui will carry special significance this year with the long-awaited reopening of the historic Soldiers’ Block at Queen Mary Hospital in Hanmer Springs — a place of healing for soldiers returning from World War I.

The formal opening, taking place at 2pm on Friday 25 April 2025, marks the completion of a major restoration project that has brought the once-closed building back to life. Built in 1916, Soldiers’ Block was designed to support the mental recovery of servicemen who had returned from the trauma of war.

Council’s Chief Strategy and Community Officer Judith Batchelor said the restoration represents a milestone for the district.

“This is a momentous occasion as we open wide the doors of this historic building that sits at the heart of our community.”

The building’s design was based on recovery principles from Trentham Camp in England, featuring unique octagonal wings to bring in healing light and fresh air.

“The approach was unique to New Zealand and internationally,” said Batchelor. “The building has stood as a symbol of healing for more than a century.”

Over the decades, the Soldiers’ Block continued to serve the community, most recently as a drug and alcohol treatment centre under the Taha Māori recovery programme until 2003.

Since then, the doors had remained closed until funding was secured in 2023 for earthquake strengthening and refitting the community hall for public use.

Earlier in the day, at 10.30am, Culverden will host another significant Anzac event with the unveiling of a new World War I and II memorial at Rutherford Reserve.

The centrepiece is a six-metre-high corten steel soldier and poppy sculpture that will be illuminated at night in tribute to the district’s fallen.

Culverden Community Chair David Croft said the project has been made possible through overwhelming local support.

“So many people in the community have volunteered their time and expertise to make the memorial possible,” he said.

The memorial also features two storyboards detailing the lives of local servicemen who departed for war from the old Culverden branch line — funded through a $5,000 grant awarded last year.

Hurunui District Mayor Marie Black will officially unveil the memorial, with RSA representative Craig Ritchie raising the flags, and the ANZAC Mounts Equine Rehab Unit, led by Terry Kingi, in attendance.

The project was largely funded by the proceeds from the sale of the Drill Hall in the 1980s, held in trust by the Amuri Community Committee, and also received the Hurunui District Council’s Heritage Award.

Mayor Black said this Anzac Day will be one of the most meaningful in the district’s recent history.

“Throughout the district we will be connecting with our communities as we remember with deep gratitude the past and the sacrifices that were made,” she said.

“It is humbling to celebrate our history and those who went before us who stood for what was right and just. I invite you and your family to spend the day with us in Hurunui and to join us in our gratitude on this important day.”

ANZAC Day Services in Hurunui – Friday 25 April 2025

•Amberley: 6am – Dawn Service, Amberley Pavilion

•Hanmer Springs: 6am – Dawn Service, War Memorial, Amuri Avenue Reserve

•Waiau: 8am – Waiau Domain

•Rotherham: 9am – Rotherham Swimming Pool

•Omihi: 10am – Omihi War Memorial, Glenmark

•Scargill: 10am – Scargill Motunau Recreation Reserve

•Hawarden: 10am – Hawarden Memorial Hall

•Cheviot: 10.30am – Cheviot Area School

•Culverden: 10.30am – Unveiling of new memorial and service, Rutherford Reserve

•Waipara: 11am – Waipara Memorial Hall

•Hanmer Springs: 2pm – Formal opening of Soldiers’ Block, Queen Mary Hospital Historic Reserve

All events are open to the public.