The dedication of Papamoa's war memorial next Sunday on November 11 at 2pm, comes 100 years since the armistice that ended World War One.

The cenotaph, which is located at the Stella Place Carpark overlooking the sea, commemorates six local men who made the ultimate sacrifice. It also recognises the service of all New Zealand's servicemen and servicewomen in wars, conflicts and peacekeeping operations.

Papamoa locals Mick O'Carroll, Bill Newell and Steve Morris worked for seven months to make the memorial a reality.

'When I arrived in Papamoa last year I noticed there wasn't a fitting place to remember those who gave their lives so that can live in freedom today,” says Mick, a formal Warrant Officer in the Navy.

Mick is satisfied saying that we now have the perfect place for locals to gather and pay their respects.

'Papamoa was a very small rural village when cities and towns up and down the country were building memorials to remember their brave loved ones,” says Tauranga City Councillor Steve Morris.

'Today over 26,000 people call Papamoa their home and we now have a memorial that reflects a community our size but more importantly, it honours our six brave servicemen in one place, together, at home for the first time.”

The Mount RSA will take ownership and responsibility for the ongoing maintenance of the memorial. President Bill Newell is grateful for the sponsors that have been so generous.

'I'd particularly like to thank Neil Gedge from Elliotts Funeral Services who sourced the beautiful granite spire at cost and paid for its engraving. I'd also like to thank McLeod Cranes for helping Neil with its installation on site.”

The 3m spire is just the first stage. By ANZAC Day next year, thanks to the generosity of Farmer Motor Group, a Navy Flagstaff will sit next to it to honour the service of nuclear test veterans in the Pacific.

Mick and Steve went to visit Mike Farmer at the Hewletts Road dealership last week hoping for a donation.

'We left with the whole thing paid for,” says Steve.

Mick says that local businesses have been generous and quick to step up.

'We were pretty optimistic in hoping to raise enough money for something to be installed by Armistice Day,” says Mick.

'I'm pleased I'll be commemorating Armistice Day at home in Papamoa.”

The dedication will be at 2pm.

'Due to the number of veterans wanting to attend the dedication, we wanted to leave enough time for them to make their way to the site after the other services around town at 11am,” says Bill.