- 11 Oct 2025 to 12 Oct 2025, 1pm to 3.30pm
- Wednesday 15 Oct 2025, 1pm to 3.30pm
- 18 Oct 2025 to 19 Oct 2025, 1pm to 3.30pm
- Wednesday 22 Oct 2025, 1pm to 3.30pm
- 25 Oct 2025 to 26 Oct 2025, 1pm to 3.30pm
11 October 2025
"Life and Lessons" | World War II Nurses
Over 100 nurses who trained at Christchurch Hospital served in WWII. This open day ensures stories and connections are preserved and remembered in the future.
Between 1939 and 1945, nurses from the New Zealand Army Nursing Service were deployed in England, North Africa, Greece, Syria, Italy and the Pacific, serving in hospitals, casualty clearing stations and on hospital ships. At the end of the war, some continued to serve in Japan as part of Jayforce.
During the festival we will be remembering these nurses and what they taught us about leadership, resilience, adapting to rapidly changing circumstances, and improvisation.
Hear a talk on Saturday, October 11 2pm - 3pm, on "Life and Lessons", World War II Nurses.
The Nurses’ Memorial Chapel, built in 1927 sits adjacent to the botanical gardens in its own beautiful and tranquil setting surrounded by a stunning memorial garden. This heritage building is believed to be the only purpose-built hospital chapel in the world that commemorates all women who died in the Great Wars and /or the 1918 Influenza Pandemic.
Open days at the Chapel will provide an opportunity for the public to find out about this history and experience this magnificent Arts and Crafts building, featuring 12 beautiful stained-glass windows, furniture carved by two local craftsmen and a boutique museum.
Image: Nurses departing from Wellington during World War 2. Charles P S Boyer, 28 August 1940. Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand.
Between 1939 and 1945, nurses from the New Zealand Army Nursing Service were deployed in England, North Africa, Greece, Syria, Italy and the Pacific, serving in hospitals, casualty clearing stations and on hospital ships. At the end of the war, some continued to serve in Japan as part of Jayforce.
During the festival we will be remembering these nurses and what they taught us about leadership, resilience, adapting to rapidly changing circumstances, and improvisation.
Hear a talk on Saturday, October 11 2pm - 3pm, on "Life and Lessons", World War II Nurses.
The Nurses’ Memorial Chapel, built in 1927 sits adjacent to the botanical gardens in its own beautiful and tranquil setting surrounded by a stunning memorial garden. This heritage building is believed to be the only purpose-built hospital chapel in the world that commemorates all women who died in the Great Wars and /or the 1918 Influenza Pandemic.
Open days at the Chapel will provide an opportunity for the public to find out about this history and experience this magnificent Arts and Crafts building, featuring 12 beautiful stained-glass windows, furniture carved by two local craftsmen and a boutique museum.
Image: Nurses departing from Wellington during World War 2. Charles P S Boyer, 28 August 1940. Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand.
Location
Nurses' Memorial Chapel, 2 Riccarton Avenue, Christchurch Central
Nurses' Memorial Chapel, 2 Riccarton Avenue, Christchurch Central
Event contact
The Friends of the Nurses' Memorial Chapel
021 031 0157
friendsofthechapelnz@gmail.com
www.cnmc.org.nz/
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