Homecoming: 10 November 2004

Arrival in Wellington

	The casket is carried across the tarmac at RNZAF Air Movements Unit at Rongotai Airport.

At 10.00 am on 10 November 2004, the Unknown Warrior was welcomed back to New Zealand soil with a short ceremony at the Royal New Zealand Air Force Air Movements Unit at Rongotai Airport.

A Tri-Service Guard of Honour, the New Zealand Army Band and a Defence Force Maori Cultural Group accorded the Unknown Warrior full military honours on arrival. As the casket was ceremonially slow marched off the RNZAF C-130 aircraft and across the tarmac, the Cultural Group acknowledged the Unknown Warrior with a powhiri and the Guard of Honour accorded him a General Salute.

Inside the terminal building, the casket was placed on the catafalque and a vigil mounted. The Chief of Defence Force and single service Chiefs paid their respects.

Later the casket was placed in the hearse and following a second General Salute, the cortege, with a military escort consisting of two LAVs, left for Parliament grounds.

Arrival at Parliament and Lying-in-State

WE REMEMBER: Watched by RNZRSA National Executive Committee members, distinguished veterans, MPs and other invited guests, the RNZRSA National President John Campbell lays a wreath at the foot of the casket on behalf of all veterans.

At 12 noon, the cortege arrived at Parliament grounds for the Defence Force to formally hand over the Unknown Warrior to the nation. Lying-in-State in the Legislative Council Chamber thousands of his countrymen and women paid homage to his sacrifice and that of the other 30,000 young New Zealanders who have given their lives in the service of their country.

A tri-service Guard of Honour and the Royal New Zealand Navy Band were formed up on the forecourt. A kapa haka group was also present. The ceremony was conducted in the presence of the Governor-General, the Prime Minister, Ministers of the Crown, Members of Parliament, diplomatic and national veteran organisation representatives.

As the Bearer Party approached the steps of Parliament, the Unknown Warrior was accorded a General Salute by the Guard of Honour followed by a karanga and haka powhiri performed by the kapa haka group.

The Bearer Party then ascended the steps of Parliament House and entered the Legislative Council Chamber where the casket was placed on a catafalque and a vigil mounted for the Lying-in-State.

More than 10,000 members of the public came to pay their respects to the Unknown Warrior over the next 20 hours.

Related Story: A Day to Remember: 11 November 2004 ›