Whakatāne RSA has partnered with the Whakatāne Museum to stage an Anzac Remembrance Exhibition, which opened on Monday.

The exhibition showcases those who served or had family members who served in the New Zealand Army, Airforce or Navy, allowing the public to step back in tme to World War I and II with artefacts from the museum and private collections.

The exhibition also includes displays that highlight more recent conflicts involving RSA veterans’ tours of duty with the United Nations, Multinational Force and Observers, and Truce Monitoring Force.

On display are uniforms, rations and equipment, alongside photographs from both world wars.

There is also a section of rope discovered by troops who were excavating caves and tunnels for use as a temporary base. At the rope’s end was a group of skeletons thought to be part of a team that was buried while building the pyramids.

The exhibition is open during normal RSA opening hours and will run for two weeks, closing on April 30.

Whakatāne RSA president Victor Hape hopes the exhibition gives people a chance to reflect on the contribution and sacrifice of those that came before them.

“We hope the two weeks the exhibition is on will give the community an opportunity to visit and reflect on the continued service since World War I of those members from our communities who continue to give us a lifestyle we all enjoy today.”