On the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918 the guns fell silent on the Western Front marking the end of World War I - 97 years later Rotorua remembered the sacrifice made by all those who fought in the conflict.
About 150 people - about a third more than in the last few years - gathered at the Cenotaph in the Government Gardens yesterday to remember those who fought and the thousands who died in defence of this country's freedom.
The memorial service was led by Reverend Tom Poata, after being organised by the Rotorua RSA, and was attended by local returned servicemen and women, armed forces cadets, mayor Steve Chadwick, members of the public, tourists, and a group from Cantabria Home and Hospital who arrived by minivan especially for the event.
"In the 200 years of this country we have barely known a decade where men and women have not had to don a uniform, which is a sad thing for such a young nation," Reverend Poata said.
During the service The Last Post was played, followed by the reciting of the Ode of Remembrance and the playing of Reveille before speeches and the laying of wreaths.