Tauranga Anzac Day civic service

Thousands of people filtered down to Memorial Park for the Tauranga memorial service.

Cadets lined the cenotaph with guns facing down with a choir and band seated to the left.

The veterans marched across the field followed by cadets.

The schools, along with St John, also marched down the back of the field to marching band music.

Servicemen and women gather at Memorial Park. Photo / Caroline Fleming

Tauranga Mayor Greg Brownless said today "we reflect on the many people who gave their lives so we could be free".

Bethlehem College head boy Misha Nesbitt said "our relative safety here in New Zealand can make us forget the great sacrifice so many made for us".

Sweet sounds of the New Zealand nation anthem fill memorial park for Tauranga’s civic service.

Posted by Bay of Plenty Times on Wednesday, 24 April 2019

The entire crowd was upstanding for the hymn Lest We Forget.

Simon Bridges and his family were among those paying their respects at the laying of the wreaths.

Wreaths at the memorial wall at Tauranga's Memorial Park. Photo / Caroline Fleming

Tauranga RSA president Fred Milligan recited the Ode to the Fallen as the crowds murmured "we will remember".

The Last Post took place and Memorial Park fell quiet for a minute of silence.