■ Anzac Day has always been more than a date on the calendar. It is a moment that calls us to reflect not only on sacrifice, but on the strength, character, and collective spirit that has shaped our communities across generations, writes East Coast List MP, Jo Luxton

Across the Eastern Bay and East Coast, from Ōpōtiki through to Whakatāne and beyond, we will gather again this weekend. We will stand together in remembrance of those who served, particularly those who landed at Gallipoli in 1915, and those who followed in conflicts since. Their courage and sacrifice remain foundational to our national identity.

But Anzac Day is also an opportunity to recognise something equally enduring. The strength of our people. The quiet leadership shown in times of uncertainty. The ability of communities to hold together, adapt, and move forward.

When we reflect on our wartime history, it is important that we continue to broaden the stories we tell. The contributions of women are not an addition to our national narrative. They are central to it.

New Zealand women served in units such as the New Zealand Army Nursing Service, providing care in extraordinarily difficult conditions, often under immense pressure and risk. Their skill, resilience, and compassion saved lives and strengthened morale at the front.

At home, women sustained communities in equally powerful ways. They led households, maintained farms and businesses, raised children, and ensured that the social fabric of our country remained intact during times of profound disruption. They organised, advocated, and supported one another, demonstrating a level of collective strength that is still reflected in our communities today.

Recognising these contributions is not about rewriting history. It is about telling it more fully. It allows us to see that the legacy of Anzac is not only one of sacrifice, but one of capability, leadership, and shared responsibility.

Here on the East Coast, that legacy is deeply felt. Our communities have long been defined by their ability to respond to challenge with strength and unity. Whether in times of war or in more recent events, including severe weather and recovery efforts, we see that same spirit continues to show up.

People stepping forward. Whānau supporting one another. Local leadership emerging where it is needed most.

This is the enduring strength of our region.

Anzac Day reminds us that service does not end with history. It evolves.

Today, it is reflected in the work of our Defence Force, in our emergency services, and in the many individuals across our communities who take on responsibility for the wellbeing of others. It is also reflected in the values we choose to uphold: care, connection, resilience, and a commitment to one another.

Those same values sit at the heart of the decisions we make as a country today.

If we are serious about honouring the legacy of those who served, then we must also be serious about the conditions people are living in now.

That means ensuring our communities have access to good, secure jobs so families can thrive and contribute with dignity. It means strengthening our health system so people, including our veterans and their whānau, can access timely, quality care close to home. And it means investing in housing, so every family has a warm, safe place to live.

These are not separate conversations. They are part of the same commitment to collective wellbeing that has always underpinned our strongest moments as a nation.

We know that when people have stable employment, when they are healthy, and when they have a secure home, communities are stronger. They are more connected, more resilient, and better able to face challenges together. That is as true today as it was during times of war.