On 7 June 2017, New Zealand marked its involvement in the Battle of Messines in Mesen/Messines, Belgium.

The New Zealand National Service commemorating the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Messines took place at 8.00am in the Messines Ridge British Cemetery.

The Official Party included Her Excellency Dame Patsy Reddy, Governor-General of New Zealand, His Excellency Sir David Gascoigne, His Excellency Mr Gregory Andrews, New Zealand Ambassador to Belgium, Mr Steven Vandeput, Belgian Minister of Defence, Mr Geert Bourgeois, Minister-President of the Government of Flanders, Mr Carl Decaluwe, Governor West Flanders, Mr Sandy Evrard, Burgemeester of Mesen/Messines, General Marc Compernol, Belgian Chief of Defence Force, Vice Admiral Mark Mellett, Irish Chief of Defence Force, Major General Tim Gall, Commander Joint Forces New Zealand, and Sir Tim Laurence, Vice Chairman of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.

The service was conducted by the New Zealand Defence Force and narrated by Ms Nicole Jamieson.

The New Zealand Government thanks the following for their support and assistance with the New Zealand Services to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Messines: the Government of Belgium, the Government of Flanders, the province of West Flanders, the Belgian Ministry of Defence, the Mayor and community of Mesen/Messines, the Police of Mesen/Messines and Ieper, the New Zealand Pilgramage Trust and the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.

Follow in the footsteps of New Zealand First World War soldiers with Ngā Tapuwae First World War Trails www.ngatapuwae.govt.nz

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