11.30am– 4.00pm (Official Opening at 10.30am) Tuesday April 10 2018
Police is proud to be part of the 50th Wahine Commemoration this week, where emergency response services will present their organisations’ information and safety messages to the public on Wahine Day.
Wahine Day is the commemoration of the 50th Anniversary of the sinking of the inter-island ferry Wahine in Wellington Harbour, with the loss of 53 lives.
It is also an opportunity to consider New Zealand’s ability to respond to an emergency today and how this has changed since 1968.
The Wahine 50 Trust has planned a number of public events for the commemoration. They aim to remember those who lost their lives and to acknowledge their families, the survivors, and all those who helped respond to the Wahine Disaster, including Police staff.
The Wellington Museum, on Jervois Quay, will host a number of special events during the day. There is a display at the Museum called ‘Are you Prepared’ where you can find out from today’s search and rescue experts how best to prepare for disaster on land and sea.
Between 12 noon and 12.30pm Police will be involved in a flotilla of small craft and a steam-past review with formal salute. We are proud to be part of the exhibition and review, which will feature significant vessels and several craft that participated in the 1968 rescue.
Last week Ten One, Police’s online news service, ran ‘Beyond Praise’, a series of stories about the extraordinary work of Police staff during the emergency. You can find them here - http://www.police.govt.nz/news/ten-one-magazine
For the more information on other events of the Wahine 50th commemorations, visit www.wahine50.org.nz
ENDS
Issued by Police Media Centre
