With drums, bayonets, and a 500-year-old tradition, the personnel of His Majesty’s New Zealand Ship Matataua (HMNZS Matataua) are coming to Whakatāne tomorrow – and the public is invited.

The HMNZS unit will march through the town centre to mark the 10th anniversary of its Freedom of the District Charter with Whakatāne District Council – the first time the unit has exercised that right in a decade.

The commanding officer of Matataua, Greg Camburn, will be marching along with 50 of his staff. He’s proud the relationship with the council has lasted 10 years and is looking forward to the parade.

“I’m looking forward to it; I think it’s pretty fantastic, actually.”

While in Whakatāne, the navy will be engaging with the community.

Groups will visit high schools to talk to the students, play an all-inclusive game of bowls with the Disability Resource Centre, and make rodent traps at Mata Breweries.

The Freedom of the District is one of the highest honours a council can bestow on a military unit. The charter was granted to the Littoral Warfare Unit in 2016 and reaffirmed in 2017 when the unit officially became HMNZS Matataua.

The charter gives the unit the right to march through the district with “bayonets fixed, drums beating, and colours flying”.

Members of the Royal New Zealand Navy Band will lead the parade – a special honour for Whakatāne, reflecting the respect and mana the navy holds for this district and its people.

The parade forms up at Mataatua Reserve at 10am, before marching along Muriwai Drive and The Strand to the reviewing area at Margaret Mahy Court.

En route, the unit will face a ceremonial police challenge – a tradition dating back to 15th-century England, when any armed column passing through a town was required to state its authority before proceeding.

At the council, the unit will be welcomed with a pōwhiri for invited guests before Mayor Nándor Tánczos formally accepts the parade’s request to exercise the Freedom of the District.

Mr Tánczos said this would be a special occasion for the district.

“HMNZS Matataua has a proud connection to Whakatāne, and the 10th anniversary of the charter is the perfect moment to celebrate that relationship. I encourage everyone to come out and watch the parade along The Strand – it’s a piece of living history.”

Following the formalities, the Royal New Zealand Navy Band will perform a free public concert at Peace Park, Boon Street, from 10.45am to 11.15am. All are welcome.

The parade will take place from 10am to 10:15am. A rolling road closure will be in place along the parade route – plan ahead if you’re heading into town.

The parade falls just two days before Anzac Day, with Rear Admiral Garin Golding, Chief of Navy, attending the Council’s Civic Service at Whakatāne War Memorial Hall on Saturday.

Tonight, from 6pm to 7.30pm, the Royal New Zealand Navy Band performs a concert at the Whakatāne RSA ,featuring some of the country’s finest musicians, including Whakatāne’s Luke Spence on euphonium.

HMNZS Matataua Charter Parade – 10th anniversary
■ When: Thursday, April 23, from 10am-10.15am

■ Route: Mataatua Reserve to Muriwai Drive, to The Strand, to Margaret Mahy Court, Whakatāne District Council

■ Free public concert: RNZN Band, Peace Park, 10.45am–11.15am