Despite overnight showers and gloomy forecasts it was clear that rain would not weary them - the many thousands who turned out for the Anzac Day dawn services across Hawke's Bay.
"We thought the forecast rain would keep a few people away but it clearly has not," Napier RSA executive Ron Rowe said after what is believed to be a record crowd of about 10,000 people attended the Napier service at the Sound Shell.
"This is just tremendous to see - and especially the increasing number of young ones we are seeing year after year."
He said the numbers reflected the devotion the country had to what was "a big day for New Zealand".
Big turn-outs were also reported at the Hastings dawn service staged at the War Memorial and the Lone Pine dawn service in Taradale.
Hawke's Bay Regional Naval Officer Lieutenant Commander Neville Smith agreed with Mr Rowe that people had simply shrugged off the prospect of rain (although it ended up cloudy but dry) and paid their tributes.
"It is so good to see - a remarkable turn-out again."
The speeches and music was conducted from the Sound Shell stage and the colonnade, as well as nearby footpaths and a major stretch of Marine Parade was packed with people of all ages.
Many toddlers, wrapped for the chill, bore poppies.
Royal Australian Naval Reserve Lieutenant Commander Alesha Gordon spoke at the Napier service and she too said it was heartening to see so many turn out for the services.
"We are here to remember all those who died or suffered, or continue to suffer through conflict today."
She said in the 21st century, it was the task of defence services to be prepared for the worst and said they were serving with distinction in several theatres of conflict.
"We must remain prepared to defend our nations," she said, later adding "the spirit of Anzac is invincible".
Head Boy at Napier Boys' High School Harry Averill read the dedication and said of the Anzacs who served "let their memories inspire us."