For Brigadier Commander Esther Harrop of the New Zealand Defence Force, marking ANZAC Day in Apia was about honouring the link she has with Samoa.

It was a personal reflection on ANZAC Day at the dawn service held on Saturday morning. It highlighted the deep familial and historical ties between Samoa and New Zealand.

Brigadier Harrop shared the story of her maternal grandfather, Andrew Kronfeld, son of Fritz Falavai and Annie Kronfeld of Lotofaga. Fritz was the fourth child of Gustav Kronfeld, a German trader, and Louisa de Silvera, who were married in Vavau in 1873 and later in the German consulate in Apia in 1890 before moving to New Zealand in 1894.

She described the Kronfeld family story as one of connection across oceans, rooted in Samoa, shaped in Aotearoa, and grounded in a strong Pacific identity. In Kingsland, Auckland, their family home Oli-Ula became a place of welcome and belonging for Pacific peoples, hosting students, families, and future leaders.

Brigadier Harrop also reflected on an act of collective sacrifice by the people of Western Samoa during the early years of the Second World War. She said that through a levy on bananas, a key part of the local economy, ordinary Samoans contributed to support the war effort.

From these contributions, funds were raised to purchase a Spitfire aircraft named “Western Samoa.” The aircraft was later flown by her grandfather, FltLt Andrew Kronfeld, who served with the Royal Air Force and later the Royal New Zealand Air Force. He was selected in part because of his Samoan heritage. He later described the aircraft as his “first love.” He survived being shot down over Bengal, although the aircraft did not.

During the ANZAC Day breakfast at the STA Fale, Brigadier Harrop presented a framed photograph of her grandfather to Tuala Iosefo Ponifasio, President of the Returned Services Association.

The gesture was described as one that connected personal memory with national remembrance, honouring the shared history between Samoa and New Zealand.

On ANZAC Day, participants reflected on remembrance with humility and gratitude, acknowledging both those who served on the front lines and those at home who contributed through quiet and collective sacrifice, including the people of Samoa, whose support formed part of the wider ANZAC story.