Freedom of the city - HMNZS Manawanui officers and crew march past Mayor Rehette Stoltz in ceremonial 'charter parade'. PM Jacinda Ardern and Clarke Gayford also in attendance.

 Published November 28, 2020 11:48AM

 

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Officers and crew of the HMNZS Manawanui march past Mayor Rehette Stoltz during the ceremonial charter parade. Pictures by Paul Rickard

HANDOVER: Lieutenant Commander Andrew Mahoney receives the charter to Gisborne city from Mayor Rehette Stoltz, at yesterday’s ceremony marking the first voyage to her home port.

PRESENT AND CORRECT: Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, her fiance Clarke Gayford, Rear Admiral David Proctor and Commodore Mat Williams at yesterday’s charter ceremony.

HMNZS Manawanui Charter Parade.

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With lowered flag, officers and crew of the Royal New Zealand Navy vessel HMNZS Manawanui marched past Mayor Rehette Stoltz in a ceremonial “charter parade” yesterday.

In a tradition that arose from the medieval practice of granting respected citizens freedom from serfdom, the mayor handed over the charter to Lieutenant Commander Andrew Mahoney.

The charter is a symbolic gesture that represents handing over the keys to the city to a military body, allowing it the freedom to parade through the city.

In attendance at the ceremony were Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and her fiance Clarke Gayford.