By KATHERINE HOBY
Anzac Day
Today is Anzac Day, the day on which New Zealanders and Australians at services throughout the two countries commemorate the gallantry of soldiers past and present.
* The wreathlaying ceremony at the National War Memorial, Wellington, starts at 11.20 am and will be attended by Deputy Prime Minister Jim Anderton and the Governor-General, Dame Silvia Cartwright. The ceremony will be televised live on One.
* Shops other than service stations, dairies, and chemists cannot open until 1 pm. Many will not open at all.
* Stagecoach buses will be running on a Sunday timetable. In Auckland the company offers free bus travel today for war veterans today. Drivers will identify veterans by war medals or RSA badges.
* If your rubbish and recycling collection day is usually a Wednesday, it will be collected tomorrow.
* Central and community libraries are closed.
Weather
Anzac Day is expected be fine for much of New Zealand. It will be cloudy in Northland with the odd shower in the north and east, fine elsewhere. Auckland will be mostly fine although areas north of Orewa and around Great Barrier Island may get a few showers. Waikato, Bay of Plenty, Rotorua, Taupo, and King Country should all have a mostly fine day with light winds. Wellington will be fine with cloudy periods in the south and east.
Kingz at home
It's the last home game of the season for the Football Kingz tonight. They take on the Australian National League's top team, South Melbourne, and will appreciate your support at Ericsson Stadium. The match holds some significance for the Kingz. It is being played on the same ground 20 years to the day after the All Whites kicked-off what was to become their successful bid for a place in the 1982 World Cup finals. Tickets for tonight's game are $10 for adults and $5 for children from Post Shops and Ticketek. Kick off is 7 pm, gates open at 5 pm.
A day at the races
The first race at the Avondale Jockey Club's meeting, the Anzac Jumpers Flat, starts at 1.10 pm. The New Zealand Bloodstock Two Year Old Fillies Stakes is worth $40,000 and will be run at 3.40 pm. The last race of the day is the Returned Services Association 1600m at 5.15 pm. Could be a good afternoon out for the family.
Weaving a vision
Peace in the Park is being held at Craigavon Park, Blockhouse Bay, from 1 pm to 5 pm. This is the first event of its type in Auckland and will include a picnic, children's entertainment, street theatre, and local community members sharing visions for a peaceful world. All are welcome. Those attending are asked to bring items to include in a community weaving, such as ribbons, leaves or feathers.
Golf tourneys
Several golf clubs throughout the North Island are holding tournaments today. Among them: New Plymouth, Northland, Te Aroha, Feilding, and Pungarehu.
Other days
As today is a special day for New Zealanders and Australians there are two other days of significance. April 25 is Liberation Day for Italians, and Yom Hazikaron (Remembrance Day) for Jews.
Baffling biscuit
Anzac biscuits have long held a place in the hearts of Australasians. The origin of the oaty biscuit is somewhat unclear. Many folk believe they were developed by Anzac troops - perhaps during the First World War - because they could be prepared from the foodstuffs available to the soldiers. Others propose those on the "home front" sent them to the troops because the biscuits were made without milk or eggs and would not spoil. Some say the biscuit is based on the Scottish oatcake. Visit the
ANZAC Biscuit website for more information. The site also has plenty of recipes.
Gallipoli
On April 25, 1915 a force of 75,000 allied soldiers landed on the beaches of Gallipoli. Among them were 30,000 volunteers from Australia and New Zealand. The assault on the steep hills of Gallipoli was part of a daring plan to knock Turkey out of the war. It was a failure, and took a huge toll on Anzac troops. Anzac Day was not marked as a public holiday in New Zealand until 1921, and then only after lobbying by the RSA.
<i>Need to know</i>
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