U.S. Ambassador David Huebner welcomed today’s Prime Ministerial announcement that the New Zealand Government will host a number of official events on 14 June in remembrance of U.S. forces arriving in New Zealand during WWII.

May 23, 2011

U.S. Ambassador David Huebner welcomed today’s Prime Ministerial announcement that the New Zealand Government will host a number of official events on 14 June in remembrance of U.S. forces arriving in New Zealand during WWII.

“The events will mark 70 years since U.S. forces travelled halfway across the world to help defend the Pacific and New Zealand, our ‘friend in need’. New Zealanders welcomed the arriving U.S. Forces with a hospitality and friendship that endures to this day,” says Ambassador Huebner.

“As New Zealand and the United States commemorate our shared history, we reflect on values that underpin our special relationship. Together, as we remember the hardship and loss of World War II, we also celebrate our response to those dark times, our camaraderie and the spirit of the men and women, military and civilian, called to serve in the face of such adversity.”

The Ambassador said that the official New Zealand Government events announced today add to a schedule of commemorative events taking place around the country.

As examples of these events he noted that:

• A U.S. Marine historian has travelled from Quantico and is already in the country.
• U.S. Memorial Day (this coming Monday May 28 is being marked by community-led events taking place in Auckland, Kapiti, and Wellington on Sunday and Monday. The Kapiti event includes Governor-General and military band participation.
• Bilateral military exercises are taking place over the next month, both here in New Zealand and in the United States.
• A program of military band performances around New Zealand. These performances will include a U.S. Marine Band that is scheduled to visit many places where U.S. Forces were based during WWII. (See our website for full details.)

The Ambassador noted that the breadth and depth of present-day interaction between the two countries is based on a long, uninterrupted history of friendship.

"We have a very long history of engagement.  This year marks 70 years of formal bilateral relations as well as 174 years of American diplomatic presence in Aotearoa. With the signing of the Wellington Declaration both countries committed to finding new and innovative ways of expressing our long-held friendship,” he added.