2025 has been a great year at the New Zealand Liberation Museum – Te Arawhata. It’s a real pleasure to take some time to reflect on some of the highlights of the calendar as the year comes to a close.
A key moment was Anzac Day, as we commemorated the 110th anniversary of the landings at Gallipoli. For me, this was my first Anzac Day leading the Museum, and it was a delight to see so many people here for this special date in the Kiwi and Australian psyche.
As New Zealanders mixed with our local Quercitains, I felt proud that Te Arawhata continues to do its job in promoting friendship and connection between peoples of our two communities. I am looking forward to welcoming more new friends to Le Quesnoy for Anzac Day 2026, which is sure to be another moving and vibrant time for the Museum.
We’ve held several talks throughout the year, with topics ranging from the role of women in the War to the France-New Zealand rugby rivalry.
Our school holiday activities have been a hit, as local kids have learnt about the birds of Aotearoa and made biscuits in the shape of one of those birds – the kiwi – for Christmas.
We’ve attended commemorations across the Western Front and visited sites dedicated to our Commonwealth Allies as well as the French, Belgians and Germans.
We’ve gone beyond what you might expect from a typical war museum – screenings of rugby games and rugby workshops for kids sat alongside the odd appearance of a dramatised presentation.
Indeed, the calendar has been full of remembrance and commemoration, as well as cultural exchange and a good deal of fun.
I have so many people to thank for making 2025 a success at Te Arawhata, including the town of Le Quesnoy, the Le Quesnoy-New Zealand Association, our colleagues working in tourism offices, museums and memorials across the region, the New Zealand Memorial Museum Trust and of course my team both at Te Arawhata and those providing support and guidance from back in New Zealand. To all that have given their time to this incredible living memorial, I am deeply grateful.
2026 will again be a busy year for Le Quesnoy and Te Arawhata. We will be holding events across the calendar, notably again for Anzac Day and 4 November. Keep an eye out for events around July for the 110th anniversary of the Battle of the Somme.
Until then, I wish you all a Happy New Year and look forward to seeing you in 2026!
